Protests against power outages hamper traffic

Locals held a protest near Punjab Chowrangi and Hub River Road over the lack of water and power supply, chanting slogans against the authorities concerned.

The protest hampered the flow of traffic and led to a long line of vehicles. According to a traffic police spokesperson, area residents protested against load-shedding and suspended traffic on Hub River Road near Raees Goth.

Agitated individuals said K-electric had suspended power supply for several days. The protestors vowed to continue the protest until the situation was resolved. According to the spokesperson, traffic policemen and officers reached the site and diverted vehicles to alternate routes.

As per information collected from the area, the protest led to long queues of vehicles which led problems for citizens. The protestors said their lives had been made miserable in the name of announced and unannounced load-shedding.

The police, however, managed to restore the flow of traffic after negotiating with protestors who dispersed peacefully. Meanwhile, locals of Punjab Chowrangi and Delhi Colony protested over the failure to supply water and electricity.

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Traffic was suspended due to their demonstration. According to the traffic police spokesperson, locals closed the track leading from Boat Basin to Punjab Chowrangi for traffic. As a result, the flow of vehicles was affected on the other track.

The traffic police diverted the cars from Boat Basin to Sub Marine Chowk to Teen Talwar and traffic from Ziauddin Ahmed Road and Cantt to Lily Bridge and race course to Teen Yalwar.

The protestors chanted slogans against concerned situations over non-supply of water and electricity and demanded their immediate supply.

The police, after strenuous efforts, dispersed protestors and restored traffic.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2021.