ISLAMABAD: In order to ensure smooth flow of traffic on a portion of Murree Road from Lake View Park to Kashmir Chowk, Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) have started diverting traffic to the opposite side.

According to the ITP, this experiment has helped in ensuring smooth flow of traffic.

“For the last three days, in the evening we are diverting traffic to the opposite side to use one lane,” Inspector Tanveer Khan of ITP, who was performing duty at the site, told Dawn.

He said after Eid extra traffic was entering Islamabad, therefore, one lane of the opposite side (which leads towards Murree) was being used for Islamabad-bound traffic. Near the entrance to the Lake View Park, the ITP officials after blocking the road heading towards Islamabad have diverted the traffic to the road on the opposite side leading towards Murree on which there is now thin traffic.

Official says Islamabad-bound traffic is diverted to road on opposite side from Lake View Park to Kashmir Chowk

Similarly, a portion of Murree Road heading towards the hill resort is also closed for diversion and traffic is moved towards the road which passes from the rear of Convention Centre where after taking a U-turn it move towards Murree on a single lane up to Lake View Chowk. It was noticed that there was no smooth flow of traffic but at least it continued at a slow pace.

Meanwhile, Serena Chowk is blocked for entering Khyaban-i-Suharwardi as New Zealand’s cricket team is staying in the hotel, causing traffic mess at the signal. However, Srinagar Highway is opened.

Every year during Eid holidays, thousands of people throng Lake View Park, causing traffic jams. After the holidays when people return from Kashmir and Murree, the said portion of the road faces congestion.

Earlier, motorists had to face the same situation in Bhara Kahu area, however, after construction of the bypass road the issue has been resolved as traffic to and from Murree and Kashmir uses the bypass road smoothly.

The portion of Murree Road from Kashmir Chowk to short of Lake View Park is congested compared to other portion of the main road. On both sides of the road, there is vast vacant area and the road could be widened easily to avoid gridlocks on Eid and other holidays when a large number of people visit Lake View Park.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2024