City rerouted as processions take over roads

Traffic plan finalised for 8-10 Muharram; major roads, including MA Jinnah Road, to remain closed

KARACHI:

The Karachi Traffic Police has finalised a comprehensive traffic management plan for the central Muharram processions to be held on 8th, 9th and 10th Muharram (June 24-26), issuing detailed route maps and alternative traffic arrangements for commuters across the city.

According to a spokesperson for the traffic police, the main processions will depart from Nishter Park and follow their traditional routes before culminating at the Hussainiya Irania Imambargah in Kharadar.

For security reasons, MA Jinnah Road will remain closed from Gurumandir to Tower during all three days of the processions.

The traffic police have arranged alternative routes for different parts of the city, particularly in District Central. Commuters coming from Nazimabad will be diverted via Lasbela Chowk towards Nishter Road and Garden, while those travelling from Liaquatabad will be routed through Teen Hatti towards Lasbela Chowk and left turn towards Central Jail (Martin Road).

On 9th Muharram, the route from Liaquatabad to Gurumandir will remain closed for traffic from 8:30am to 9:30am.

For those travelling from Hassan Square to Peoples Chowrangi, alternative routes via Kashmir Road, Society Signal (Shahrah-e-Quaideen), and Jail Flyover through Teen Hatti towards Nishter Road will be available. In District East, similar diversions have been planned. Commuters from Central Jail Gate (Jamshed Road) towards Gurumandir will be redirected via Bahadur Yar Jang Road and Soldier Bazaar, with a partial closure from 10:30am to 1:30pm on 9th Muharram.

In District South, traffic from Garden and Zoo heading towards MA Jinnah Road will be diverted via Ankle Saria Road, Gul Plaza, Coast Guard and Holy Family routes.

Heavy and commercial traffic will also be rerouted. Vehicles coming from Super Highway and Gulberg towards MA Jinnah Road will be diverted at Liaquatabad No10 towards Nazimabad Chowrangi No2 and further routed via Habib Bank Flyover, Site Area, Estate Avenue Road and Shershah towards Mauripur. The same route will apply for return traffic.

Traffic police further stated that no heavy or light traffic will be allowed beyond Gurumandir Chowk towards the procession route. All vehicles will be diverted towards Bahadur Yar Jang Road and Soldier Bazaar. Entry to MA Jinnah Road will remain strictly prohibited for all vehicles except those carrying official procession stickers. Such vehicles will be allowed entry via Shahrah-e-Quaideen through Society Signal. Participants of the procession will also follow designated routes. Those coming from Nazimabad will proceed via Lasbela to Gurumandir and then towards Numaish, while participants from Liaquatabad, Teen Hatti and Jehangir Road will access the route via Gurumandir to Numaish. Participants from Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, University Road, Old Sabzi Mandi and Kashmir Road will also reach Numaish via Society Signal. Vehicles carrying sabeel, niyaz and tabarruk will be allowed entry only through designated points at Saddar Dawakhana and Capri Light Signal. Parking will not be permitted anywhere along the procession route.