Islamabad Traffic Police announces special traffic plan for Rawalpindi Test match

Diversions introduced on Express and Srinagar highways; commuters advised to use alternative routes and allow extra 20 to 25 minutes for travel

Syed Naveed Hussain

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has introduced special traffic arrangements and diversion plans in view of the ongoing Test match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and the movement of cricket teams, urging commuters to use alternative routes to avoid congestion and minimise travel delays.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Kainat Azhar Khan said a comprehensive traffic management plan had been devised to ensure smooth traffic flow and facilitate citizens during the sporting event. She said additional traffic personnel had been deployed at key roads, intersections and sensitive points to regulate traffic, guide commuters and assist motorists in choosing alternative routes.

According to the Islamabad Traffic Police, temporary traffic diversions have been introduced at various points along the Express Highway and Srinagar Highway to ensure the safe and uninterrupted movement of cricket teams. Citizens are being informed about the arrangements through advance traffic advisories to help them plan their journeys and avoid unnecessary delays.

Under the diversion plan, commuters travelling on Srinagar Highway can use Suharwardy Road, Service Road G-8, Service Road G-9 and Zero Point as alternative routes. Traffic heading towards Faizabad has been advised to take Faisal Avenue, while motorists travelling towards Ninth Avenue can use Service Road East.

Similarly, commuters travelling from Korang towards Islamabad can use Old Airport Road, Rawal Road, Rawalpindi Murree Road, I.J.P. Road and Faiz Ahmed Faiz Road to reach their destinations.

In case of a closure on Korang Road, Express Highway, Murree Road or Club Road, motorists have been advised to use Lehtrar Road and Park Road to avoid traffic bottlenecks.

Those travelling towards New Islamabad International Airport and Peshawar Road can use Jinnah Avenue and Margalla Road, while commuters coming from Bhara Kahu towards Islamabad have been advised to take alternative routes through Bani Gala and Park Road.

CTO Kainat Azhar Khan urged citizens to allow an additional 20 to 25 minutes for their journeys, keeping in view the possibility of increased traffic pressure during the match and temporary road closures.

She advised motorists to follow instructions issued by traffic police personnel, observe traffic regulations and avoid unnecessary travel through diversion points to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles on major arteries.

The CTO said Islamabad Traffic Police officers would remain deployed at different locations to provide on-ground assistance and continuous guidance to commuters. She added that updated traffic information was also being disseminated through FM Radio 92.4 and the official social media platforms of Islamabad Police.

Islamabad Traffic Police has appealed to citizens to cooperate with traffic personnel and follow the prescribed traffic arrangements, expressing confidence that public cooperation would help minimise inconvenience and maintain smooth traffic flow throughout the Test match.