Traffic diversion plan in place for Muharram 7

At least 1,552 policemen and 280 volunteers will provide security cover to the Muharram 7 processions besides enhanced number of Traffic Wardens to be deployed on city roads to regulate traffic load.

The mourning procession of the seventh day of Muharram is considered the largest one in Rawalpindi. Subsequently, City Traffic Police (CTP) have devised a traffic diversion plan for the procession which will start from the Sadiqabad area.

According to Duty Officer CTP Headquarters Muhammad Waseem parking of vehicles and motorcycles would be banned along the route of the mourning procession while all traffic proceeding towards the route of the procession would be diverted to other routes.

A control room had also been set up at Traffic Headquarters to monitor the situation, he added.

Wasim said that the main mourning procession Muharram 7 would appear from Sadiqabad at 8pm and after passing through Transformer Chowk, Sadiqabad, Kuri Road, Ali Road, Chah Sultan, Glass Factory, Dhoke Hukamdad, Zafarul Haq Road, Murree Road, Committee Chowk, Fawara Chowk, Raja Bazaar, Dingi Khoei, Jamia Masjid Road it will culminate at Imambargah Qadeemi.

In order to provide security to the mourning procession, the traffic coming from Haji Chowk, Kuri Road, Chirah Road, Sadiqabad, ASF Headquarters, Gulistan Cinema, NBP Murree Road, Kohati Bazaar, Zafarul Haq Road, Glass Factory, Dhoke Hukamdad, Mochi Bazaar, Himalton Chowk, Bansanwala Chowk, Purana Qila, Pull Shah Nazar, Pir Choha Road, Banni Chowk, Roshan Bakery Chowk would be diverted to alternative routes.

District police have also finalised all the arrangements to provide foolproof security to the mourners. Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras have been installed on the routes of 52 processions that would be taken out including nine of A category, 15 of B category and 28 of C category in Rawalpindi district.

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