ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) survey conducted to identify hurdles in the smooth flow of traffic has also pointed out a number of private schools in residential areas, saying they are causing obstructions in the flow of traffic.

According to police officials, ITP senior superintendent of police approached the inspector general of police, requesting him to address the issue through proper authorities.

In a letter, ITP SSP Malik Matloob said the traffic police conducted a road audit and forwarded the result to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for the removal of hurdles in the way of smooth flow of traffic. However, the CDA has not taken the report up, he said in the letter.

In its Road Audit Report 2018, the ITP have proposed lane marking on all the internal main and service roads, the construction of signal-free corridors, RFID lanes, motorcycle lanes, halting points to control speeding and parking lots in and around busy centres.

It also suggests the installation of fences along all highways and expressways to stop the entry of pedestrians and motorcyclists and the moving of all private schools from residential areas which were established in violation of the capital’s master plan.

The removal of encroachments from 35 sites was also requested including in Aabpara Market, around the district courts, Karachi Company, Fatehjang Road, G-10, G-11, F-10, F-11, Golra Darbar, Pirwadhai Chowk, I-10 Markaz, Sabzi Mandi, Kahuta Road, PWD Market, Khanna, Park Road, Lethrar Road, Bhara Kahu Bazaar and Athal Chowk.

The report suggests that four illegal bus terminals be removed including the ones at Karachi Company, Faizabad, Mandi Mor and Bhara Kahu Bazaar.

The construction of 13 main and service roads was proposed at Blue Area, Kashmir Highway, Industrial Area, I.J. Principal Road, Sabzi Mandi, Lohi Bher, Koral and Bhara Kahu and repair works on 12 main and service roads and Secretariat, Blue Area, G-9, G-11, Kashmir Highway, Industrial Area, I.J. Principal Road, Lohi Bher and Shahzad Town was suggested as well.

Underpasses were proposed at Shaheen Chowk Margalla Road, F-8 Exchange on Ninth Avenue, PARC Chowk on Ninth Avenue, and 15 pedestrian bridges at Faisal Avenue, Jinnah Avenue, Fazle-i-Haq Road, F-10 Markaz, I.J. Principal Road, the Expressway and Bhara Kahu.

Taxi stands were proposed at Jinnah Super, Super Market, Blue Area, Aabpara, Fazle-i-Haq Road, the district courts, Ibn-i-Sina Road for Pims, G-10, F-10, F-11, I-8, H-8, I-9, H-9, Faizabad Bus Terminal, Sabzi Mandi, Lohi Bher, Koral, Khanna, Athal Chowk and all the metro stations.

Twelve U-turns were proposed to be blocked permanently at Khayaban-i-Suharwardy, Margalla Road, Fazal-i-Haq Road, Ibn-i-Sina Road, G-10/3, F-11 Markaz and it was proposed that U-turns be established at Ibn-i-Sina Road G-8 and near the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

Fish belly U-turns were proposed at Faisal Avenue, F-10, G-10/3, E-11, G-10/1, F-10/1 and I.J Principal Road near Pirwadhai Road and all U-turns in I-9 and H-9 were proposed to be converted to fish belly U-turns.

The report has identified 33 faulty traffic signals and says they be repaired and that traffic signals be installed at Gohar Shaheed Chowk at I.J. Principal Road and 7-up Chowk.

Drains for rain water were proposed for 40 locations including Margalla Road, Blue Area, Aabpara, Faisal Avenue, Karachi Company, G-10, Kashmir Highway, Faizabad, Ninth Avenue, I-8, I.J. Principal Road, Sabzi Mandi, Lohi Bher, Koral, Banigala, Murree Road and the Expressway.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2018