The traffic police issued a revised traffic plan on Saturday night for the test cricket matches between Pakistan and South Africa that are to be held at the National Stadium from January 26 and continue till January 30.
According to a traffic police spokesperson, in light of the concerns raised by citizens, three roads leading to the National Stadium Flyover and signal - Karsaz Road, Dalmia Road and the road leading up to the stadium from New Town - that were closed earlier will be allowed to remain partially open for traffic. Public transport and heavy vehicles will still be barred from these routes.
According to the revised traffic plan, the road heading from Liaquatabad via Hassan Square Flyover, and the path from Karachi Expo Centre towards the National Stadium Road, via Sir Shah Suleman Road will be closed for the public. Commuters will be diverted towards University Road instead.
Besides, the National Stadium Flyover will also remain closed for traffic.
Enhancing accountability : Traffic police to get bodycams
The spokesperson further said that small vehicles will be permitted to pass through Habib Rehmatullah Road from Karsaz to the signal on National Stadium Road, but public transport and heavy traffic will be restricted. The same restrictions will hold for the route from Dalmia Road to the signal from Millenium Mall and the road leading to the National Stadium from the New Town turn. Only small vehicles will be allowed to pass through these roads.
Citizens have raised concerns over the inconvenience faced by commuters in recent days with the closures of major thoroughfares leading to the National Stadium for security, given the arrival of foreign and local cricket players in the city.
With multiple roads remaining closed for traffic, Karachi's main thoroughfares, such as Sharae Faisal, Rashid Minhas Road and University Road, Sharae Pakistan, New Preedy Street and MA Jinnah Road, saw excessive traffic and eventually, hours-long traffic jams.
Moreover, the closure of roads also made it difficult for citizens, ambulances and health workers to reach hospitals located near the National Stadium. Three of the city's main hospitals are located in the Stadium's vicinity, namely Liaquat National Hospital (LNH), Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) and the NICVD.
The spokesperson requested the public on Saturday to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and the traffic police to avoid inconvenience. He further asked commuters to avoid parking their vehicles on service roads and main roads while following the revised traffic plan.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2021.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ