KARACHI: VVIP movement causes massive traffic congestion
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Dec 18: A severe traffic jam was witnessed again on Monday evening on account of VVIP movement in the city bringing hardships to the countless people who were stuck on the roads in public and private transport.
The problem was caused by the closure of certain roads to provide security to President Musharraf who made an unannounced visit to the city.
Police blocked Club Road and part of Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road to keep them clear before the president’s arrival.
On Monday evening, police started removing vehicles from the service lanes of Sharea Faisal, a standard procedure adopted by the police ahead of VVIP movement in the city.
A traffic mess then ensued on Metropole, Fountain, Sarwar Shaheed Road, arts council, and Shaheen Complex intersections. Hundreds of vehicles remained stuck for hours in the jam.
The impact of the clogging was also felt on Abdullah Haroon Road, Zaibunnisa Street, Sharea Faisal, and M. A. Jinnah Road and the traffic police appeared helpless in clearing the thoroughfares. Many desperate motorists turned towards narrow streets to get out of the mess but only aggravated the situation.
I. I. Chundrigar Road was also blocked with vehicles while a heavy load of traffic was witnessed on Sharea Faisal where vehicles moved bumper-to-bumper. Its impact was even felt on M.A. Jinnah Road and Burnes Road where traffic barely moved at a snail’s pace.
Long queues were seen along the dual carriageway of M. A. Jinnah Road whichis a wide road, but it was clogged with all types of vehicles. Traffic police personnel at each traffic signal were regulating traffic manually after switching off the signal lights. This slowed traffic movement and eventually made it difficult for the police to clear the mess.
