Go with the flow: Kh-e-Shamsheer, Mujahid become one-way roads

Hi-tech traffic signals that adjust to the traffic load have also been installed.

KARACHI: People traveling in Defence and Clifton should note that Khayaban-e-Shamsheer and Khayaban-e-Mujahid are now one-way roads.

This rather abrupt decision, which was taken by Defence Housing Authority on Tuesday, resulted in traffic jams on multiple intersections. Khayaban-e-Shamsheer will now take vehicles from the Saudi Consulate towards Seaview, while Khayaban-e-Mujahid will be used by cars heading in the opposite direction, said a spokesman for the DHA, Rafat Naqvi.

“We have done this to manage traffic, which has increased in recent years,” he said. A lot of restaurants and shops have opened up on Khayaban-e-Shamsheer and hence the road is often choked on the weekends.

This decision is part of the DHA’s traffic management programme, which also includes the installation of new signals on the intersections. PGE was the company given the contract to install them. Its CEO, Zafar Naveed, said that seven high-tech signals each have been installed on the two roads. “Right now, we are running them on fixed time since it will take few days to adjust to the new routes. But the new signals actually adjust to the traffic load.” Sensors have been installed underneath the road to gauge the time needed to clear the traffic, he said. “If more cars remain stationary on the road, the green light will automatically be adjusted to stay on for a longer period of time.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2011.