THE recent T20 cricket series between Pakistan and New Zealand that was held at the Rawalpindi Stadium brought in its wake a lot of difficulties for the local inhabitants. While cricket fans eagerly anticipated the matches, the commuters faced notable disruptions and incon-veniences due to the security measures that were put in place for the two teams.

One of the main security protocols involved the temporary closure of several roads to the public during the movement of the players. Major thoroughfares, like Murree Road and Serena Chowk, in Rawalpindi were shut down to ensure the smooth passage of the teams. Though these measures are necessary, they led to heavy traffic congestion and delays for the local commuters. The closure caused traffic jams, and also inconve-nienced residents and businesses in the affected areas. The road closures also disrupted public transportation services, impacting the timetables of buses and other modes of transport. Commuters relying on public transport faced serious challenges in reaching their destinations on time.

It is essential that the authorities effectively address all such challenges, and minimise the impact on the local community.

Effective oordination between various law-enforcement agencies and traffic management authorities is crucial in terms of ensuring the smooth flow of traffic.

Gul Afshan
Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2024