Over 900 personnel to manage Ashura processions in Pindi
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To ensure smooth and secure movement during the Youm-e-Ashura processions, the Rawalpindi Traffic Police issued a detailed plan, deploying more than 930 officers and personnel across the city.
The arrangements, overseen by Senior Traffic Officer Munir Hashmi, aim to manage heavy crowd movement and prevent traffic congestion during the day-long event.
The deployment includes one senior traffic officer, ten deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), 72 senior traffic wardens, and around 850 traffic wardens and assistants. Authorities have prepared special traffic diversions and road closures along key procession routes to maintain order and safety.
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On Ashura, traffic will be completely blocked on the stretch from Committee Chowk to Iqbal Road. A full diversion will be in place at DAV College Chowk, with entry towards College Road restricted. When the procession reaches Naya Mohalla, access from DAV College Chowk to Fawara Chowk will also be closed.
Chief Traffic Officer Beenish Fatima assured the public that foolproof traffic security measures would be implemented. She explained that public service vehicles will be redirected from DAV College Chowk, while private vehicles will be diverted from Gawalmandi via Dhok Kumhar towards Bhusa Godam.
A secondary diversion at Mashriq Hotel on City Saddar Road will guide traffic back towards Saddar and Mohanpura through Cinema Chowk and Ganjmandi Road towards Pirwadhai.
آٹھ محرم الحرام آر اے بازار کے علاقہ میں جلوس کے سیکورٹی انتظامات, ایس ایس پی آپریشنز کاشف ذوالفقار فیلڈ میں موجود رہ کر سیکورٹی انتظامات کی نگرانی کر رہے ہیں، ایس پی پوٹھوہار طلحہ ولی، ایس ڈی پی او کینٹ اور دیگر افسران بھی ہمراہ ہیں، ایس ایس پی آپریشنز نے سیکورٹی انتظامات کا pic.twitter.com/TzNJJqCfqz
Additional diversions include the closure of all traffic from Cinema Chowk to Kashmiri Bazaar, redirecting vehicles via Transit Camp towards Saddar. Near the City Police Station, traffic will be guided onto Ganjmandi Road, then towards Dhok Hassu and Pirwadhai.
Routes on Shah Allah Ditta Road will be diverted through Dhok Dalal, TB Hospital, Pirwadhai, and Asghar Mall. Near Bakery Chowk, vehicles will be rerouted towards Banni Chowk and Link Road, moving through Saidpur Road and Circular Road to Liaqat Bagh via Murree Road.
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Diversions will also be enforced at Hamilton Chowk and Bansowala Chowk, with restricted entry near Dingi Khoi and the Grand Mosque. Traffic heading to Imambargah Baltistania via Pir Choha Chowk will be completely blocked.
For processions starting from Satellite Town, traffic will be diverted at several points including New Town Police Station, Punjab College of Commerce, Hayat Wali Hospital, Aziz Nursing Home, Banni Chowk, and Kohati Bazar.
CTO Fatima urged citizens to cooperate with traffic authorities and follow instructions for their safety. She also instructed officers to remain vigilant and ensure smooth traffic flow through coordinated efforts, while advising the public to contact the emergency portal if needed.