HYDERABAD, Sept 26: Police on Tuesday restricted the entry of heavy vehicles including intra-city buses into city in order to avert traffic congestion during Ramazan.

As a result, people are facing problems as they could not reach their destinations through buses.

The decision in this connection has been taken by the district government.

It appeared to be a temporary arrangement during Ramazan but according to traffic DSP Ziaullah, a permanent solution is being worked out to address the issue of traffic congestion in the city.

Local buses coming from Hatri and other parts of the district would terminate at the liberty roundabout outside the civil hospital.

Those coming from Qasimabad and Kotri would drop commuters at the Pakistan chowk near the Gul Centre and at Old campus.

Other buses coming from Husri and other parts via the general bus stand (Badin bus stop) would take route of Gharib Nawaz bridge and then proceed to other units of Latifabad via Makki Shah road.

Hundreds of passengers including students and government employees travel daily in the intra-city buses to reach from one place to another.

Students who also use this mean of transport now face journey related difficulties because they are losing time to reach schools and colleges.

Local bus operators have resented decision of the district government and reports said that some of them have suspended the operation of their vehicles on Tuesday to lodge their protest.

When the district government had banned entry of intra-city buses in the city earlier a group of bus operators had challenged the decision before the Hyderabad circuit bench of the Sindh High Court.

Subsequently, the buses were allowed entry in the city.

However, goods transports’ entry is still banned in the city during morning and evening hours.

They could only enter the city between 10pm and early morning to deliver goods.

Despite repeated requests by traders dealing in food and other commodities the district government has not re-considered the decision.

It has helped improved traffic conditions to some extent in the Anaj Mandi area.

Traffic police had proposed to the district government to take some decision regarding the entry of heavy vehicles for regulating traffic in a smooth manner.

On Saturday, an unprecedented traffic blockade was witnessed on all the main roads of city.

As a result, students reached their homes in the evening after closing hours of their schools and colleges.

Two main arteries of the city — Risala and Qadam Gah Maula Ali roads — are lying closed for traffic because of work of laying of sewerage and drainage pipelines.

Both the main arteries are used by buses and other heavy vehicles.

With these two roads lying closed for last several days, traffic flows are diverted to other connecting roads and even streets and ultimately choking them as well.

The Risala road is normally used as junction point by intra-city buses and since it was lying closed from its head, traffic is being diverted to press club and Fatima Jinnah roads.