Traffic flow

Anybody who uses the Islamabad Expressway will tell you that travelling on it from Gulberg Green Interchange all the way up to Blue Area is extremely easy and less time-consuming since last year. Earlier there were bottlenecks at Karal Chowk, Khanna Pul, Faizabad Interchange and Lok Virsa. The CDA should be commended for improving the flow of traffic on this portion of the Islamabad Expressway. However, they show focus on improving the portion of the Expressway between Gulberg Green Interchange and Swan Gardens. Owing to heavy traffic and a narrow road, there are traffic jams during the morning and evening rush hours. This portion of the Islamabad Expressway is going to be widened to five lanes.

In this regard, two suggestions will be particularly useful. The first is to temporarily widen the road at the U-turns so that the traffic that is going straight does not get stuck. Second, trucks and tractor trollies/water tankers should be restricted in the evening rush hour as they are being restricted during the morning rush hour. As trucks are usually overloaded, they travel slowly causing traffic congestion. The CDA and the ITP should take action on the above suggestions. It would help ease traffic congestion.

Syed Hussein El-Edroos

Islamabad