Sir: In a bid to ensure the foolproof security of the federal capital Islamabad and its twin city Rawalpindi, the authorities have installed security barriers, spending Rs 5.5 million. These barriers are visually obtrusive rather than being effective. They include bunkers and concrete slabs that have created bottlenecks and are a cause of vexation for citizens. These barriers create a lot of traffic problems, the most troublesome of which are traffic jams. Because of these barriers, people start using alternative, underdeveloped paths as well as unidirectional paths for two-way traffic, which increases the chances of collisions. Every morning, while coming from Rawalpindi to Islamabad, I have to come across those concrete slabs and there is always a complete traffic jam at those spots with absolutely no traffic rules being observed as most of them are left unattended. Islamabad is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world but these barriers have badly affected its allure. Since these barriers are also important because of the current condition of terrorism in our country, I would suggest that the authorities put these barriers in places where they are absolutely necessary. In the end, I would personally suggest that instead of putting up these unattended barriers, the authorities should be vigilant enough to make the public observe traffic rules. FARIHA MUNIR, MAHAM SHAKOOR Via e-mail