Traffic chaos grips Rawalpindi

The launch of a state-of-the-art underpass and overhead bridge project at District Kachehri Chowk has thrown Rawalpindi’s entire traffic system into chaos as nine major connecting roads have been sealed for ten months.

The closure has gridlocked traffic across the city and cantonment areas, turning a five-minute commute into a two-hour ordeal.

Heavy machinery has arrived at the site, and pedestrian routes have also been sealed. Despite tall claims by the traffic police, the situation worsened on the very first day as wardens disappeared from their designated areas.

Hundreds of students were stuck in traffic and reached schools late, while under-trial prisoners and police vans from Adiala Jail were trapped for hours.

Ambulances and government employees also faced severe delays, forcing many students to return home.

Temporary crossings made by breaking central dividers on main and service roads have only worsened congestion. The closure has paralysed major arteries, including Adiala Road, Mall Road, Murree Road, Rawal Road, Jhelum Road, Old Airport Road, Jhanda Road, Scheme-III Road, Ammar Chowk Road, Gulistan Colony Road, Tahli Mohri, and Chakri 22.

Business activity across these areas is collapsing, with traders estimating daily commercial losses of up to Rs500 million.

Citizens are struggling to access the Kachehri, Judicial Complex, Commissioner’s Office, DC Office, Revenue Department, and special courts. Buses of the Women’s University were also trapped in gridlock. The Commissioner’s Office has vacated eight kanals of land for the project, and a century-old mosque along with the Imam’s residence will be demolished on Tuesday.

Lawyers’ chambers will be relocated within 48 hours, and alternative land will be provided for the Kachehri mosque.

Meanwhile, the Parks and Horticulture Authority has uprooted all trees and plants from the project site and replanted them in city parks. Departments including PTCL, Sui Gas, Wapda, and mobile companies have begun relocating their poles and pipelines.

All Pakistan Private Schools Association President Malik Naseem and Irfan Muzaffar Kayani have urged authorities to provide clean alternative routes for schoolchildren.

Punjab Teachers Union President Qazi Imran suggested restricting heavy traffic entry to between 10pm and 6am, while Rawalpindi Traders Association President Sharjeel Mir demanded a foolproof one-way traffic plan to keep businesses running.

However, a Rawalpindi Traffic Police spokesperson said that duty staff have been deployed on all main and alternate routes.

Over 200,000 vehicles used to pass through Kachehri Chowk daily, the spokesperson added, and diversions have increased pressure on alternate routes, especially during school hours. The public has been urged to avoid unnecessary travel toward Kachehri Chowk, follow one-way routes, and refrain from illegal parking to help maintain traffic flow.