City’s traffic system put to test
Motorcyclists are forced to a detour due to roadblocks set up for the PML-N rally at Minar-e-Pakistan. Photo: NNI
A public meeting organised by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at Minar-e-Pakistan to welcome its leader Nawaz Sharif caused a massive traffic jam amid efforts by the police to confine the road blockades to the locality.
The traffic police deployed over 1,800 wardens under supervision of the SPs of Saddar and city on the occasion. As per the traffic plan, 16 points were specified for parking and three drop lanes for the participants.
Convoys arriving from Gujrat, Gujranwala, Kamonke, Muridke and GT Road reached the venue from the Eastern Bypass via Kala Shah Kaku. Those arriving from Sargodha, Faisalabad and the motorway reached via Saggian, Ring Road and Niazi Shaheed Chowk.
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Those from Okara, Sahiwal and Multan Road reached the site via Babu Sabu Motorway to Band Road and Niazi Chowk, while those from Kasur, Kahna, Ferozpur Road and Mall Road reached Minar-e-Pakistan via Data Darbar.
The vehicles arriving from Katchery Chowk were parked at Saggian Ring Road.
Vehicles were also parked at the Ring Road, Maulana Muhammad Ali Road and from the Lorry Ada to Data Nagar. A lane from Data Darbar to Pir Makki was also specified for parking as well as from Agha Flyover to Timber Market and Niazi Chowk.
The forest department premises and bus stands were also used for the parking. The arrangements came amid continuing construction work at Shahdara Mor and Ring Road that had already been causing traffic congestion at the points.
The traffic police tried to confine the traffic blockades one part of Lahore.
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Efforts were made that to ensure that the Mall Road, Railway Station and Canal Road were not affected by the political activity.
The convoys arriving at Shahdara Mor on GT Road were diverted to Eastern Bypass from Kala Shah Kaku to reach the Greater Iqbal park.
Traffic was also diverted from Sheranwala Gate to Lorry Ada and the venue.
As far as the security arrangements were concerned, Lahore police deployed over 5,000 personnel for the purpose.
Pickpockets nabbed
Meanwhile, the organised Crime Unit of Chung arrested 15 pickpockets who had planned to loot participants of the gathering. DSP Farooq Asghar Awan said the arrested suspects had revealed that they had aimed to pick pockets during the event.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2023.