LAHORE: While people faced mobility issues for the second consecutive day on Sunday due to intercity and intra-city travel disruptions, they also struggled to procure fresh vegetables, fruits, and other perishable items, including milk. The shortages were caused by reduced supply from areas outside Lahore following road closures with containers after the PTI’s protest call for Nov 24.

However, intercity travel through the railway network from Lahore to other cities continued uninterrupted, with large numbers of passengers thronging major railway stations—main and cantonment—in the Punjab capital to travel to various destinations.

Traffic congestion was observed on several major roads, particularly Canal Road, where the police placed barricades to slow traffic flow and inspect vehicles.

“I reached Services Hospital from Johar Town in an hour due to severe traffic jams on Canal Road (Jinnah Underpass to Campus Underpass). It is really nonsense,” complained a motorist on Sunday evening. “The government should at least create ease for those traveling for work,” he added.

Another motorist shared a similar experience on Canal Road from Thokar to Dharampura.

“I encountered severe congestion near the campus and again near Mall Road. It wasted at least half an hour and additional petrol,” he said, urging the government to take notice of the situation.

According to a government official, intercity bus operations remained suspended for the second day from Lahore to other cities, particularly Rawalpindi and Islamabad. “Similarly, bus services on intercity routes from other cities were also halted,” the official said, adding that the situation might normalise within a day if the protests ended. However, Lahore Metro Bus operations remained partially operational, running on a limited route from Gajjumata to MAO College.

Road closures also disrupted the supply of fresh vegetables, fruits, raw milk and other perishable items from other cities to Lahore.

“I had no option but to buy stale vegetables from a nearby shop,” said a resident. When he questioned the vendor, he was told that supplies to Lahore were far below normal due to road closures. Fresh vegetables available in local markets were mostly harvested in Lahore’s rural areas.

A fruit vendor and a milk seller confirmed the supply shortage. The milk seller noted that loose milk supplies had been reduced to a minimum, forcing customers to buy packaged milk. He warned of business closures if the situation persisted for a few more days.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways rejected media reports claiming the closure of train operations from Lahore and Faisalabad to Rawalpindi and Peshawar. “These reports are false and baseless. Train operations continue without disruption,” confirmed Fatima Bilal, deputy divisional superintendent, while speaking to this reporter. She added that Pakistan Railways had operated a special train from Lahore to Rawalpindi to accommodate increased passenger demand.

Markets and eateries in Lahore saw a rush of people on Sunday despite the disruptions. “I think there should be no unnecessary protests for the sake of this country,” remarked a shopper at Johar Town’s G-1 market.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2024