Rain throws capital traffic in disarray

Islamabad
As usual, there was total chaos on Islamabad roads during and after showers on Thursday.
The city, as stated by an official of the Meteorological Office, received 13 millimeters rain during the last 24 hours.
Huge tailbacks were seen on the city’s all major arteries, Nazimuddin Road, Ibn-e-Sina Road, Margalla Road and Pitras Bukhari Road to name but a few, especially in the morning, afternoon and evening.
Besides rain, the roads dug up for metro bus service as well as faulty traffic lights
also contributed to the chaotic traffic.
At most places, traffic cops were seen managing traffic but they appeared to be struggling with the job.
Amid honking of horns by others, some motorists entered wrong lanes in order to make their way through traffic to destinations and thus, worsening the gridlock.
Many blamed the situation on the mismanagement of the traffic police.
“Every time, it rains in the city, the traffic is found to be in disarray. Traffic cops have been tasked with managing traffic, so if the traffic is messy, only they are
blame,” motorcyclist Kamal Khan said.
Some maintained a good number of motorists didn’t have road sense, while others didn’t use it, especially during rush hours.
There were also complaints about traffic lights at major intersections going out of order during rainy days.
The road users demanded that the traffic police come up with a comprehensive strategy to prevent traffic mess on the roads when it rains.
At the same time, they said if the traffic department was understaffed, then the government should induct cops there in adequate numbers to efficiently manage traffic on the city roads.