Traffic chaos in Pindi ahead of Eid

Travellers struggle to pick their way through traffic mess on major roads

RAWALPINDI:

Days before the Eid holiday season, the traffic system has completely paralysed in all the major commercial centres of the garrison city, creating immense difficulties for car travellers and pedestrians alike.

Sources said it has become increasingly difficult even for pedestrians to walk on the main thoroughfares across the city including Murree Road, Gakhar Plaza, Bank Road, Haider Road, Asia's longest Tench Bhata Bazaar, Iqbal Road, Raja Bazaar, Kashmiri Bazaar, Liaquat Road, City Saddar Road, China Market, Fawara Chowk, Ganjmandi, Dingi Khoi, Jamia Masjid Road, Bani Chowk, Asghar Mall Road, Pirwadhai Road, Mall Road, Commercial Market and all its surrounding roads, Chandni Chowk, Sadiqabad Chowk, Moti Bazar Chowk, Lal Haveli, Bohar Bazar and Mochi Bazar.

Sources said the traffic system has gone out of control despite allowing only one-way traffic in Saddar's two markets. All these roads have five to ten feet encroachments of Eid shopping stalls.

Further, illegal parking of vehicles and motorcycles has been made on the other two sides. The contractors have started charging Rs50 per hour for cars and Rs30 per hour for parking motorcycles. The collection of hourly parking fees has led to disputes between citizens and contractors.

The sources said that there is a rush of customers in these markets from 10am to 5pm which subsides until iftar and it starts again at 7pm and lasts till 1am.

It has become difficult for men and women to roam around in the bazaars. Due to lack of space, fights among pedestrians have become common while the incidents of pickpocketing have also spiked in all rush markets.

The shopkeepers have announced that all the markets will be kept open till dawn on Thursday [today] and in case of Eidul Fitr falling on Saturday, all the commercial hubs will remain open 24 hours i.e. from 8am Friday till 8am Saturday.

Meanwhile, the City Traffic Police have deployed traffic wardens in all major markets including Saddar's bazaars, Raja Bazaar, Fawara Chowk, Bani Chowk and Dingi Khoi Chowk. Barriers will also be installed on all one-way roads from Thursday [today].

A fine of Rs1000 will be imposed for a one-way violation, and Rs2,000 on one-wheeling and motorcycling without a silencer while the motorbike will be confiscated. The Rawalpindi DC has issued instructions to the presidents of all major markets, commercial centres, and leaders of business organisations to remain present in their respective markets at all times till Eid.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2023.