RAWALPINDI: The garrison city again witnessed traffic mess on different roads on Tuesday with some wardens helplessly trying to divert public service vehicles on different routes.

The traffic congestion on Murree Road, Raja Bazaar, Liaquat Road, City Saddar Road, Kashmir Road and Bank Road was distressing for everyone when a large number of people thronged markets and roads in Rawalpindi on the second day on Tuesday.

The City Traffic Police planned to put some diversions in place on temporary basis at Liaquat Bagh, Gawalmandi and Raja Bazaar to divert wagons, auto rickshaws, taxis, pick-ups and other vehicles.

Besides, the city traffic police had closed U-turns in Commercial Market, Satellite Town, and crossing at Liaquat Bagh and in Saddar area to avoid congestion and long queues of vehicles.

At Mareer Chowk, Liaquat Bagh and Raja Bazaar, motorists remained stuck up in traffic congestion.

“It was better for me to stay at home than to come to markets on such a heavy day when it looks as if all of the residents of the city have come out,” a motorist, who identified himself as Ibrahim, said.

Another pedestrian expressed his concern over ignoring social distancing and other precautionary measures against Covid-19.

Spokesman for the City Traffic Police said the aim of placing diversions was to avoid congestion and to keep the traffic moving. However, the diversions were removed soon after sunset as the number of vehicles reduced on roads.

He said extra traffic wardens had been deployed to control traffic.

Some ambulances carrying patients were also seen trying to find a way out of the traffic mess to reach the city hospital. Due to traffic mess, some vehicles broke down right on the busy Murree Road, which were pushed by wardens.

On the other hand, Chief Traffic Officer Syed Ali Akbar directed the police to launch a crackdown on those public transporters who were found overcharging commuters leaving for their native towns to celebrate Eidul Fitr.

The CTO further directed the traffic staff to strictly implement SOPs and guideline regarding precautions against Covid-19 in public service vehicles and also appeal to the public to prefer to stay at home and only to come out when direly needed.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2020