Three major routes in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) have turned into hotspots for rampant traffic violations, with Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) issuing nearly 50,000 challans in just five months for a range of traffic rule breaches.
According to the document available with Daily Times, the traffic police issued 49,405 challans against the vehicles plying on three roads Srinagar Highway, Kashmir Chowk and F-10 Roundabout. The document, which also submitted to the senate of Pakistan, reads that these tickets are issued just in five months against various violations.
The authority issued 31,306 challans for motors ply on Srinagar Highway from sector G-7 to sector G-15. This three-lane one of the busiest roads of the city contains hundreds of vehicles on daily basis. The ITP issued 1,349 challans on this road against careless driving, 2,695 bikers without helmet, 1,818 against lane violations, 907 for seat belt, 337 for mobile phone use during drive, 3,558 against wrong parking, 2,582 against number plates violations, 1,106 challans for tinted glasses while 1,6954 challans have been issued against some other kind of violations by the motorists.
Moreover, to ensure smooth and effective traffic management in ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi has ordered deployment of extra officers at different points in the city.
As per details, over 300 officers have been deputed specifically for said cricket matches so that the flow of traffic could be kept uninterrupted. Following the IGP directives, the ITP has devised a comprehensive traffic plan, according to which, more than 300 additional police officers and personnel are supposed to be deployed to ensure smooth traffic flow during the PSL matches in twin city.
A robust security arrangements have been made on Express Highway, Faizabad, Club Road, Murree Road, Faisal Avenue and 9th Avenue Srinagar Highway due to the movement of PSL cricket teams. Traffic flow may slow down on Express Highway and Srinagar Highway due to team movement, so commuters are advised to use the H-8 underpass to travel towards the Blue Area. For sectors I and H, use the Rawalpindi-Peshawar service road from IJP. Murree Road to Serena and Faizabad via Rawal Dam will remain closed during team movements. Citizens should use the service road connected to Srinagar Highway. For access to and from Red Zone and Serena Hotel, citizend can use Margalla road, Express Chowk, Jinnah Avenue, Bari Imam and NADRA Chowk.
From Islamabad Chowk to G-11, citizen can use the service road, Jinnah Avenue and Margalla Road. Entry of heavy traffic into Islamabad is prohibited during the arrival and departure of teams. For traveling from Red Zone to Faizabad, commuters can use Convention Center and Club Road. Islamabad Traffic Police personnel will be deployed at various locations for citizen guidance. To avoid any travel difficulties, citizens are advised to leave home with an additional 20-minute buffer. Those coming from Bhara Kahu should use Kodiyaanwala Chowk to Srinagar Highway. For entering Islamabad from Park Road, citizens can use Rawal Chowk to Faizabad to Zero Point.
Travelers coming to Islamabad via Murree Road, Expressway or IJP Road should use Faizabad and Zero Point. For traveling towards Bari Imam, citizens can use NADRA Chowk.
To keep citizens informed, Islamabad Police will issue traffic advisories via its social media platforms so that everyone remains updated with real-time traffic conditions. Citizens are advised to avoid roads around Serena and Faizabad during team movements.
For any travel difficulties or guidance, citizens can contact the traffic police helpline “1915” and listen to FM Radio 92.4 for hourly traffic updates. The Chief Traffic Officer Islamabad Captain (retd) Syed Zeeshan Haider urged citizens to cooperate with Islamabad Police to help provide all possible facilities. He further stated that providing maximum travel convenience and maintaining an integrated traffic system in the federal capital remains a top priority for traffic Police.