City shuts key roads for Chehlum procession

MA Jinnah Road closed; traffic diverted as 5,000 police deployed for security

KARACHI:

The Traffic Police have finalised a special traffic plan for Tuesday (today) in connection with the Chehlum procession of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), which will commence from Nishtar Park.

According to a Traffic Police spokesperson, a detailed route map and alternative traffic arrangements have been issued for public convenience. Due to security reasons, MA Jinnah Road from Guru Mandir to Tower will remain closed for all kinds of traffic.

As per the plan, the main procession will begin at 9am from Nishtar Park and, passing through its designated routes, will culminate at Imambargah Hussainia Iranian in Kharadar.

The Traffic Police have outlined alternative routes for commuters. In District Central, traffic coming from Nazimabad will be diverted from Lasbela Chowk towards Nishtar Road via Garden. Vehicles from Liaquatabad will be routed from Teen Hatti to Lasbela Chowk and then towards Central Jail (Martin Road).

In District East, traffic from Hasan Square heading towards Peoples Chowrangi will be diverted via Kashmir Road to Society Light Signal (Shahra-e-Quaideen) and Jail Flyover to Teen Hatti and onward to Nishtar Road. Similarly, traffic from Sharae Faisal towards Numaish will be diverted via Kashmir Road.

Traffic from Jamshed Road (Central Jail gate) towards Guru Mandir will be diverted via Bahadur Yar Jang Road and Soldier Bazaar. In District South, vehicles from Garden Zoo heading towards MA Jinnah Road will be diverted via Uncle Saria, Gul Plaza and Coast Guard to reach their destinations.

Separate arrangements have also been made for heavy traffic. Vehicles from Superhighway intending to reach MA Jinnah Road will be diverted via Liaquatabad No 10, Nazimabad No 2, SITE Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road and Sher Shah to Mauripur. The same route will be used for return traffic.

Heavy vehicles entering the city from the National Highway will be allowed via Sharae Faisal or Rashid Minhas Road, Stadium Road, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Hasan Square, Liaquatabad No 10, Nazimabad No 2, SITE Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road and Sher Shah to Mauripur.

No traffic - heavy or light - will be allowed beyond Guru Mandir towards the procession route. All traffic will be diverted towards Bahadur Yar Jang Road and Soldier Bazaar. Entry of all vehicles on MA Jinnah Road will remain strictly prohibited, except those with authorised procession stickers, which will be allowed via Society Light Signal on Shahra-e-Quaideen.

Meanwhile, the city police have also devised a comprehensive security plan for the peaceful conduct of the Chehlum procession and related gatherings.

A total of 4,994 police officers and personnel will be deployed for security duties, along with 139 police vehicles at various locations.

According to the police spokesperson, security arrangements include deployment at Nishtar Park, along procession routes, entry and exit points, CCTV control rooms, search and strike units, rooftop snipers, major hospitals, alternative routes and post-incident response teams.