RAWALPINDI: In the lead-up to the Eid holiday season, major commercial centers in the garrison city have been brought to a standstill due to traffic congestion, causing immense difficulties for both drivers and pedestrians.
Reports indicate that pedestrians are finding it increasingly challenging to walk on the main thoroughfares across the city, including popular locations such as Murree Road, Gakhar Plaza, and Tench Bhata Bazaar, among others.
Despite implementing one-way traffic in Saddar’s two markets, the traffic system has become completely overwhelmed.
Furthermore, the streets are filled with encroachments of Eid shopping stalls, with illegal parking creating additional chaos.
With hourly parking fees now being charged by contractors, disputes between citizens and contractors have become common. Rush hour in the markets sees an influx of customers from 10 am to 5 pm, subsiding until iftar and then resuming at 7 pm until 1 am.
As a result of the overcrowding, fights between pedestrians and incidents of pickpocketing have become increasingly prevalent, making it difficult for men and women to roam around in the bazaars.
Despite the challenges, shopkeepers have announced that they will keep all markets open until dawn on Thursday and remain open for 24 hours if Eidul Fitr falls on Saturday.
In response, the City Traffic Police have deployed traffic wardens in all major markets and installed barriers on all one-way roads from Thursday.
To curb traffic violations, the Rawalpindi DC has instructed the presidents of all major markets, commercial centers, and business organizations to remain present in their respective markets until Eid.
Those who violate traffic rules will face a fine of Rs1000 for one-way violations and Rs2,000 for one-wheeling and motorcycling without a silencer, with the motorcycle being confiscated.
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This traffic chaos is not only in Ramadan and now in last week of it but has become a daily routine in all area as mentioned in the article.
Both the CBR and CCB are just making money imposing parking taxes thru their facilitators and touts.
It is required to have a multisotry parking lot maintained by both these authorities yto curb the situation.
It is difficult to walk on footpaths and this road is closed separately. If you tell someone that it is wrong, then fight.
The administration is asleep. š¢
Sickening are the traffic wardens and their seniors for ignoring commuters going the wrong way on Bank Road. The cops simply turn a blind eye towards majority of the motorists. Earlier, there used to be a few motorbikes but now, it has become a routine for four wheelers also. Disgusting police.