Faizabad check-posts cause traffic jams

Commuters demand solution to the problem; ITP suggests it may ask CDA to build a u-turn there

ISLAMABAD: While most areas of the federal capital remain under lockdown after 25 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) were reported in the city, some personnel who have been deemed as essential personnel, have to face a different challenge every day.

Apart from the fact that they have to travel to the federal capital from their residences in adjoining areas daily while maintaining minimum social distance and manage personal protective equipment, many say they also have to face a gridlock at Faizabad at peak hours.

The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has restricted travel on five of the six lanes of the Islamabad Expressway. At Faizabad, a checkpoint has been set up where they screen travellers to ensure that only authorised and essential personnel as deemed by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration are travelling to the federal capital.

Non-essential or unnecessary travellers are sent back and one lane of the Expressway is utilised for the purpose.

However, this means that a 600-metre patch on the Expressway has become a bottleneck for vehicles and is the site for traffic jam at peak hours.

"There is a need to dedicate a specific lane for those commuters who are exempted from the travelling restrictions imposed by the city administration," said Sabir Hussain, who has to travels on the Islamabad Highway daily.

He called for specifying a separate lane for those who have been allowed to commute to their workplaces. Hussain added that office-goers, not only had to perform their critical tasks but also had to perform additional tasks of their colleagues due to curtailment of staff.

"I am perturbed as this short-term travel agony has dampened my mood which will eventually affect the work during the entire day," said Rana Zahid, a journalist, while narrating the ordeal he underwent for almost 30 minutes.

Zahid said he intends to reach the office at around 9am but misses the target by around half an hour because he is stuck at the check-post.

He further pointed to the alleged mismanagement of the traffic police at the check-post. He suggested that the police should look for an out-of-the-box solution to this problem and ensure the smooth flow of traffic at this particular point.

"I do not expect any congestion on the Islamabad Expressway when there is thin traffic," he remarked, recalling that during normal working days, commuters had to face the trauma of traffic gridlock at several points along the expressway.

When contacted, a senior officer of the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) said that the force will convey the matter to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to construct an emergency u-turn near the Faizabad check-post to avoid congestion.

"We are aware of the situation and are making all possible efforts to ensure a smooth flow of traffic on the expressway during the prevailing conditions," the ITP officer said.

"The creation of emergency u-turn is the only solution to avoid the long-ques of vehicles at the picket," he said.

Exemptions

The ICT administration had granted an exemption to the ban on movement for personnel of essential services in the federal capital.

Those exempted include officials of government departments who have been notified by respective departments and ministries, health professionals, law enforcement agencies (LEA) and media personnel.

Also included are personnel who are related to public service departments and organisations, patients along with two attendants and citizens visiting their markets in their respective markets.

People performing religious rites such as funeral prayers and burial have also been exempted.

Personnel of utility companies, relevant departments of the CDA, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and essential services of the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) have also been exempted from the order.

The notification continues that public and private telecom, cellular companies, their franchise and their customer support centres with no public dealing are allowed with minimum possible attendance at their compounds.  

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2020.