U-turn built for VIPs' convenience irks public

Citizens urge authorities to restore Murree Road’s signal-free status

RAWALPINDI:

A U-turn that was introduced in front of the Chaklala Cantonment Board office on Murree Road near Murrir Chowk for the convenience of board officers has become a nuisance for motorists and pedestrians.

Residents have raised concerns about its impact on traffic flow and the removal of valuable trees that were planted on the green belt.

Since the establishment of this U-turn, Murree Road, which is already grappling with traffic issues, has experienced persistent congestion from Murree Chowk to Saddar. This traffic bottleneck has become a significant issue for the locals, causing disruptions throughout the day.

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The Chaklala Cantonment Board administration had recently initiated the construction of this U-turn, aiming to facilitate the board’s officers. Previously, officers would travel from Saddar to St John’s School turn to reach to their office. With the newly installed U-turn, they can now directly access their workplace without the detour.

However, the construction of the U-turn has come at the expense of the green belt along Murree Road, resulting in the removal of numerous precious plants. This has not only led to traffic congestion between Mareer Chowk and Saddar but has also caused difficulties for the public. Additionally, ambulances en route to various hospitals in the city now face significant delays due to traffic congestion.

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Local residents argue that the convenience of Chaklala cantonment officers should not come at the cost of hardships endured by the people of Rawalpindi. They have called for the removal of the U-turn to maintain the smooth flow of traffic on Murree Road.

In response, the Chaklala Cantonment Board administration stated that the U-turn benefits not only officers but also ordinary citizens who can now easily access Saddar from this point. They explained that the initial reason for the U-turn’s construction was to address traffic issues at Fleshman Chowk.

Moreover, they attributed the traffic congestion to the speed bump installed after the U-turn and noted that construction work is ongoing, causing the closure of half of the road. Once the speed bump construction is completed, traffic is expected to flow smoothly without congestion.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2023.