Punjab

Load management: Road works and special events cause traffic chaos

Trucks carrying construction material to cause further delays over coming weeks.

Our Correspondent October 23, 2012

LAHORE:

A combination of major road works and an influx of students for the Punjab Youth Festival and political workers for a Pakistan People’s Party rally resulted in traffic jams across the city on Monday.

For several weeks, large sections of Ferozepur Road, Lower Mall and Ravi Road have been blocked for the construction of the Bus Rapid Transit System, while the expansion of Multan Road is also currently underway, resulting in frequent jams at alternative routes.

On Monday, the traffic situation was even worse as thousands of students were bussed into Gaddafi Stadium for the Youth Festival, while thousands also arrived for a rally in support of newly appointed PPP Punjab President Mian Manzoor Wattoo from the airport to The Mall.

Chief Traffic Officer Captain (retired) Sohail Khan said that the closure of routes for construction work and the two major events in the city had resulted in major traffic problems on Gulberg’s Main Boulevard and Canal Bank Road.

And he warned that things will get worse over the coming days as contractors rush to finish work on the BRTS to meet the chief minister’s deadline of November 20. On Sunday, the chief minister ordered that trucks carrying construction material also travel during the daytime.

Captain (r) Khan said that 22-wheelers escorted by traffic wardens on motorbikes would be moving girders to the BRTS construction site. He said 24 wardens had been assigned to escort the trucks and clear a path for them through traffic. Sections of the road where the girders are being installed would be cordoned off, which would result in additional delays.

He urged commuters not to use the roads unless necessary, especially during rush hour. He also appealed for patience. “Yes there is inconvenience owing to the construction work, but as soon as the project is complete, the people will see its benefits,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2012.

COMMENTS (6)

User | 12 years ago | Reply In civilized societies such projects are executed at night to avoid traffic congestion. But our planners and executioners are not used to working at night so thats y they have to pass 22 wheelers during peak traffic hours.

sa | 12 years ago | Reply

this is right decision , like motorway

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JAM | 12 years ago | Reply

@Shue: for your information this is not for elite.. and dont mention your fabricated figures (mere 0.2%) such projects are meant to serve masses and you will see that fare will be less than other public transport. plus extra comfort. and i think you must be an engineer or economist to think logically ...

Shue | 12 years ago | Reply The event might have resulted in a bad traffic situation but honestly, half of the Lahore is suffering due to some "elites" plan to make a "bus terminal" for a bus which I can say with surety will be too expensive for the poor who actually use buses in the country. You don't need to be an engineer or economist to see this, just living in Lahore you realize the fact the our poor can hardly afford much. We all have heard about various bus services, train services falling into major losses due to unaffordability for the masses. To make the whole city suffer for a mere 0.2% who will use the bus is a crime ! And to add fuel to fire Captain (quoted above) request not to use these roads unless necessary ....please someone tell them these roads are central highway ! necessary to EVERYONE who lives in Lahore !

sanam | 12 years ago | Reply All over the world major projects are constructed and not a pebble falls onto the road and look here, the whole city has been destroyed for this wretched BRTS.

Maria | 12 years ago | Reply

Despite the inconvenience of these projects, we all know in the long run the investment in the city's infrastructure will prove very positive. As it is Lahore has undergone a remarkable transformation as have many other cities in the Punjab. In particular the Bus Rapid Transit System will not only relieve congestion but it will hopefully provide cheap, efficient and environmentally sound transportation for common citizens in Lahore.

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