Bumper to bonnet: City gridlocked for over two hours
Traffic SSP says protests held in Hashtnagri, on Jail Road
Traffic stuck on GT Road. PHOTO: EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
Residents witnessed traffic gridlocks for over two hours around Rehman Baba Square in Cantonment on Monday.
The traffic jams were sparked by the execution of Mumtaz Qadri, who was convicted of killing former Punjab governor Salman Taseer.
An official of the police told The Express Tribune, traffic police was forced to divert vehicles from blocked roads to alternative routes. “As a result, other routes also witnessed traffic jams,” he said. “This caused major problems for the public.”
A majority of vehicles were diverted to Charsadda Road, Kohat Road and Circular Road, causing severe congestion on these arteries. University Road, Khyber Road and Shami Road were also clogged with traffic.
A tale of two protests
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Traffic SSP Sadiq Hussain Baloch said two major rallies were held.
“One of the protests began from Hashtnagri,” he said. “The protesters wanted to march towards the K-P Assembly. However, the army did not allow them to entrer Cantonment.”Baloch said the mob held a 40-minute demonstration and eventually dispersed.
The second protest was held on Jail Road and the traffic police diverted vehicles in this area to alternative routes.
The SSP said, “Everyone has the right to protest.” He added it was the duty of the police to ensure demonstrations are conducted peacefully and security is provided to protesters.
According to Baloch, the traffic police should design suitable diversions when protests result in traffic jams.
Practice makes perfect
Baloch said 22,000 people in the city have been registered so far to receive SMS alerts about the traffic situation.
“This system proved to be helpful during the protests,” he said. “We sent an SMS to [those who have registered with us] and noticed that vehicles were not coming towards Hashtnagri anymore.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2016.
Residents witnessed traffic gridlocks for over two hours around Rehman Baba Square in Cantonment on Monday.
The traffic jams were sparked by the execution of Mumtaz Qadri, who was convicted of killing former Punjab governor Salman Taseer.
An official of the police told The Express Tribune, traffic police was forced to divert vehicles from blocked roads to alternative routes. “As a result, other routes also witnessed traffic jams,” he said. “This caused major problems for the public.”
A majority of vehicles were diverted to Charsadda Road, Kohat Road and Circular Road, causing severe congestion on these arteries. University Road, Khyber Road and Shami Road were also clogged with traffic.
A tale of two protests
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Traffic SSP Sadiq Hussain Baloch said two major rallies were held.
“One of the protests began from Hashtnagri,” he said. “The protesters wanted to march towards the K-P Assembly. However, the army did not allow them to entrer Cantonment.”Baloch said the mob held a 40-minute demonstration and eventually dispersed.
The second protest was held on Jail Road and the traffic police diverted vehicles in this area to alternative routes.
The SSP said, “Everyone has the right to protest.” He added it was the duty of the police to ensure demonstrations are conducted peacefully and security is provided to protesters.
According to Baloch, the traffic police should design suitable diversions when protests result in traffic jams.
Practice makes perfect
Baloch said 22,000 people in the city have been registered so far to receive SMS alerts about the traffic situation.
“This system proved to be helpful during the protests,” he said. “We sent an SMS to [those who have registered with us] and noticed that vehicles were not coming towards Hashtnagri anymore.”
The SSP was hopeful no protests would be held in the city in the coming days and the traffic situation will remain under control.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2016.