Underpass construction clogs Peshawar Road

Traffic problems on Peshawar Road and its alternative routes are expected to intensify following the commencement of construction work on a mega underpass project, prompting the Rawalpindi Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) to recommend the temporary suspension of two Green Electric Bus routes.

The recommendation has been made to prevent further congestion and ensure the smooth movement of traffic on the main thoroughfare and diversion routes, which are already facing pressure because of the construction activities.

Sources said Rawalpindi CTO Farhan Aslam had sent a letter to the Secretary of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Rawalpindi, regarding the proposed suspension of the two routes.

According to the letter, construction work on the mega underpass project on Peshawar Road has commenced, resulting in the diversion of traffic to alternative routes. However, both Peshawar Road and the diversion routes are narrow and have limited capacity to accommodate the existing volume of traffic.

The letter states that the Green Electric Buses, being relatively long and wide, could further aggravate congestion if operated on the narrow alternative routes. Their movement could create additional traffic management difficulties, increase the risk of accidents and contribute to traffic jams.

Route No 1 operates from Saddar Stop to Bhatta Chowk, while Route No 4 runs from Metro Bus Station Mareer to Motorway Chowk, 26 Number.

The CTO said the scale of traffic on Peshawar Road was exceptionally high, with more than 135,000 vehicles passing along one side of the road within a 24-hour period. Approximately the same number of vehicles travel in the opposite direction towards Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, RTA Secretary Asad Haseeb Shirazi said that the letter had not yet been received. He added that the matter would be reviewed once the correspondence was received.

The traffic situation has been further complicated by the construction arrangements on Peshawar Road, where only one slip lane on one side has been kept open for traffic. Construction work is continuing on the remaining lanes, while heavy machinery and freight vehicles are also moving through the area.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, CTO Aslam said all necessary measures were being taken to ensure the safety of citizens, road users and schoolchildren.