RAWALPINDI: The police on Sunday issued a traffic diversion plan for the Chehlum procession to be taken out on Monday.

“A strict ban on pillion riding will be enforced during the procession and anyone violating the ban would be booked,” Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Yousuf Ali Shahid said, adding a four-layer security cover would be put in place for the event. Hundreds of police personnel will be deployed to ensure peace in the city.

For the first time, police personnel will be deployed inside and on the rooftops of unoccupied buildings located along the route of the procession.

According to the plan, 11 traffic diversions will be put in place on different roads.

Iqbal Road will be closed and the traffic would be diverted at DAV College Road Chowk.

The CTO said traffic would not be allowed from Novelty Cinema to Kashmiri Bazaar and the movement of vehicles would be diverted towards the Transit Camp.

Another diversion will be made near the city police station from where the traffic would be allowed towards Gunjmandi Road, Saddar, Pirwadhai and Dhoke Hassu.

Traffic will also be diverted from Shah Allah Dita Road towards TB Hospital, Asghar Mall and Banni Chowk. Similarly, no traffic will be allowed towards Kartar Pura, Banni Chowk and Jamia Masjid Road and a diversion would be made at Roshan Bakery towards Murree Road via Circular Road.

Traffic would be closed from Hamilton Chowk towards Dingi Khoi, Bansanwala Bazaar and Jamia Masjid Road.

The road leading towards Baltistani Imambara will be closed and the traffic diverted towards Asghar Mall Chowk and Pirwadhai road.

The CTO said 250 traffic police personnel, including six DSPs, 10 inspectors, 21 junior wardens and 213 wardens, would be deployed during the procession.

Published in Dawn November 21st, 2016