Gujranwala traffic operates sans signals

The district with a population of 5.8 million has bad traffic conditions. Traffic signals could not be installed in 14 squares, including the major squares of the city, for the last 12 years, where traffic signals were tested while issuing traffic licences.

Even the signal poles installed in three squares disappeared after a few months of their installation.

It was reported that in 2008, the city traffic police started working after staying in Gujranwala, and since then a signal test was required before issuing a traffic licence.

After that there was a driving test and after passing the test, the licence was issued but since then the major squares of Gujranwala -- Chandakula Chowk, Sialkot Bypass Chowk, Alam Chowk, Awan Chowk, Shamsi Chowk, Commissioner Chowk, Kangni Wala Chowk, Baghbanpura Chowk, Nayan Chowk, Khyali Chowk, Munir Chowk, Dastagir Chowk and National Bank Chowk -- have had no traffic signals installed.

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This organization is generating millions in terms of revenue by issuing millions of challans and fines, but the first step of traffic control and implementation of traffic laws, i.e. installing of traffic signals, is not being implemented due to which the squares are sealed during the rush hour in the morning and evening as well.

Especially, GT Road, Commissioner Road, Civil Hospital Road Chowk, Munir Chowk, Nursery Chowk, Dastagir Chowk, Shamsi Chowk are packed at both times, and the traffic police control the traffic by putting diversions due to which a journey of minutes takes hours.

For a few months, signals were installed in Kangniwala Chowk, Commissioner’s Office Chowk and Shamsi Chowk, but they were damaged and now even the power poles have disappeared. Citizens are fed up with this situation.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2023.