KARACHI: Traffic movement remained disrupted for hours in Karachi south district on Wednesday as police blocked all main roads leading to Seaview in line with security measures on New Year’s Eve, officials said.

People living in most parts of the Defence Housing Authority and Clifton suffered immensely because of traffic that choked streets and thoroughfares linking the city to its upscale areas.

According to the Karachi traffic announcement, the roads leading to Bilawal House from Boat Basin and from Sunset Boulevard to Punjab Chowrangi remained blocked for traffic and motorists were advised to use Korangi Road as an alternative route.

The traffic towards Khayaban-i-Ittehad from Expressway was diverted to Korangi Road, Sharea Faisal, Club Chowk, Regent Chowk, Teen Talwar, Do Talwar, 26th Street DHA before taking the right turn at Seaview to reach their destinations.

“The residents of DHA were also requested to carry along their CNICs so they could be allowed to move towards their residences through the alternative routes as other visitors were not allowed on New Year’s Eve,” said an official at the DIG-South office.

The traffic authorities also blocked the KPT bridge off the US consulate but kept the roads from Bilawal Chowrangi to the Jinnah bridge open. Parking was also not allowed along Abdullah Haroon Road, Mai Kolachi, M.T. Khan Road and Sharea Faisal after sunset.

The south district roads wore a deserted look till late in the night though despite curbs a large number of people, mainly youngsters, made their way to Seaview one way or another. Police officials said the ban on pillion-riding coupled with security fears amid frequent reports of terrorism threat that even forced the authorities to extend the winter vacation of the educational institutions kept a large number of people at a distance.

“Traffic arrangements like road blockade and barriers are a regular feature of New Year’s Eve,” said a senior official. “The trend was followed this year as well but if you observe there is no such heavy movement on the roads which are even open for traffic. The people, I think in view of security fears, stay at home even if they want to celebrate something.”

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2015