Rawalpindi City Traffic Police (CTP) has finalized all the arrangements to maintain traffic flow on Ashura Day. In a statement issued on Sunday, as many as 1,000 traffic police personnel will be on duty on the occasion of Ashura Day. Chief Traffic Officer Naveed Irshad said that traffic will be maintained for mourning processions. On the 10th of Muharram, all types of traffic will be closed from Committee Chowk towards Iqbal Road, he added.
DAV Chowk will be completely diverted from where all traffic entry towards College Road will be closed. Traffic entry will be restricted from DAV College Chowk to Fawara Chowk when the mourning procession reaches Naya Mohalla. A diversion has been set up at Mashriq Hotel, City Saddar Road and the traffic will be diverted back towards Saddar and Mohanpura. Traffic will not be allowed from Cinema Chowk to Kashmiri Bazaar on Ashura Day. There will be a diversion on Shah Allah Ditta Road from where the traffic will be directed towards Dhok Dalal, TB Hospital, Pirwadhi and Asghar Mall.
Traffic will be diverted to Bani Chowk and Link Road by placing a diversion near Bakery Chowk. Diversion has been put in place at Hamilton Chowk and Banswala Chowk, dingi Khoi and traffic will not be allowed at Jama Masjid, he said. The traffic coming towards the old Imambargah will be completely blocked by putting a diversion at Pir Chauha Chowk. On the occasion of the procession from Satellite Town, there will be a diversion on both sides of Imam Bargah Yadgar Hussaini.
During the procession, traffic will be diverted from New Town, Punjab College of Commerce, Hayat Wali Hospital, Aziz Nursing Home, Bani Chowk near Kohati Bazaar, Roshan Bakery, Kali Tanki Chowk, Asghar Mall College, Bani Market and other various places. On the day of Ashura, traffic officials should remain alert and ensure traffic flow, he concluded.
All the traffic staff should implement the traffic plan while keeping the traffic flowing on alternate routes, he said. The CTP has also launched drive against tinted glasses vehicles, keeping in view to ensure security during Muharram. Following the orders of CTO Naveed Irshad, Inspector Kamran Siddique took action against black paper and no number plate vehicles.
A total 37 challan tickets were issued without number plate vehicles whereas 20 challan tickets were issued on the black glasses vehicles. Chief Traffic Officer appreciated the traffic incharge and team of Mehrabad for his good work. The purpose of the operation was to ensure law and order during Muharram, he added.
Naveed Irshad further said that action will be continued against the black paper and without number plate vehicles. No excuse will be accepted by the citizens regarding using black glasses, the CTO said. He urged the citizens must register their vehicles and motorcycles on time and use the number plates according to the excise model.
