LAHORE: At least 15 railway crossings of the city would reduce the duration of closing/opening of gates to avoid traffic mess, said DIG (Traffic) Syed Ahmad Mobin here on Friday.

He said the traffic police observed that motorists were facing problems due to early closure and late opening of railway crossings in different areas, creating traffic mess in major roads.

The DIG contacted Railway Minister Khawja Saad Rafique in this regard and, on his direction, deputy superintendent Rubina Nasir arranged a meeting in which transport assistant director Malik Qamarul Haq and Mughalpura station master Muhammad Aslam were also present.

The DIG said the meeting decided to reduce duration of all 15 crossings of the city to ease traffic pressure on roads.

The duration will be reduced at railway crossings at Raiwind city crossing, Jodho, Pajhoki, Lahore bridge, Kot Lakhpat, Imamia Colony, Kala Khatai, Data Nagar, Ravi Chowk, Griffin, Mughalpura bridge, Sultan Chowk (Dharampura), Chaubacha, 7-Up and Cantonment.

He said the Punjab government was also planning to build underpasses at two railway crossings at Chaubacha and Shahdara to avoid traffic mess.

He said most of the railway crossings were kept closed for more than 20 to 25 minutes which caused gridlocks.

“We have contacted the railway authorities to sort out the issue since growing number of vehicles have started causing traffic mess because of long duration of closing/opening of gates at railway crossings”, he added.

The DIG said a traffic warden was also deputed in the control room of the railway department to alert police about the arrival of any train, adding the step would help wardens in maintaining traffic flow on all city roads.

He said it was agreed that the railways would reduce the timing of closing and opening of its level-crossings in the city.

Published in Dawn January 28th, 2017