here are visible signs of frustration and helplessness on the faces of traffic wardens manning the Simla Pahari Chowk on Davis Road, Lahore. Clearly, the traffic load is too much for them to manage in Ramazan, especially around iftar.

It’s the same story everywhere else — motor vehicles clog city roads as everyone seems to be rushing home, wanting to reach there in time for iftar. This not only causes traffic snarl-ups but also accidents. In any case, incidents of road rage as well as utter chaos are the order of the day. Even the ambulances and Rescue 1122 vehicles are seen stuck in traffic jams.

Many people are forced to break their fast on the road. Many others can’t grab hold of anything to eat or drink. The blame for mismanagement obviously lies with the City Traffic Police (CTP). Not only can traffic mess endanger human life, but it can also waste a lot of precious time for those in a rush.

Generally, traffic remains blocked for hours at peak time on Circular Road, Railway Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Ravi Road, McLeod Road, Shahdara, Imamia Colony, Misri Shah, Mughalpura, Baghbanpura, Tibbi City, Lower Mall, Anarkali, Chauburji, Ghoray Shah, Abbot Road, Regal Chowk, Modal Town Link Road, College Road, Chowk Yateem Khana, Thokar and Scheme Mor, to name a few points.

The traffic wardens are often seen clearing the traffic for their bosses. They sometimes do bother to do so for the general public stuck on the road for hours.

In Ramazan, it’s common for people to flock to makeshift wholesale markets. The result, again, is bad traffic in the adjoining areas. Chaotic scenes are witnessed on roads as tempers fly and fights break out at the drop of a hat. 

The growing presence of encroachments on service roads, in commercial areas, is another reason why the traffic refuses to move. The encroachments such as fruit stalls are in addition to the countless motorcycles that are lazily parked on top of each other without any care for public inconvenience.

In Ramazan, it’s common for people to flock to makeshift wholesale markets. The result, again, is bad traffic in the adjoining areas. Chaotic scenes are witnessed on roads as tempers fly and fights break out at the drop of a hat.

Dr Adnan Qamar says the traffic issue is growing by the day: “We have to encounter it in the morning, when people are leaving for their offices and students for their colleges/universities, and again in the evening when people are on their way back home.”

He is of the view that there are “fewer traffic wardens to be seen close to iftar. Those who are still there [at the time of iftar] are often found having a chitchat.”

TO Lahore, Muntazir Mehdi, says that a comprehensive plan has been chalked out to deal with the situation effectively. As per the plan, more than 2,000 traffic wardens will remain on duty at iftar time as well as during taraweeh prayers. Additional personnel
have been deployed at 32 Ramazan bazaars as
well.

He also speaks of special parking arrangements in the vicinity of Ramazan bazaars. “We are well aware of the fact that due to Ramazan there is greater traffic on the roads, especially during iftar time. In order to ensure hassle-free movement of traffic, emergency squads have been formed.”

The CTO maintains that 24 odd lifters and two tow trucks have also been deployed to maintain the smooth flow of traffic at busy places. Additionally, over 100 traffic officers have been engaged outside the mosques on major highways to ensure easy access. “No laxity will be tolerated in this connection,” he declares.

The writer is a senior journalist and can be reached at    ahsanzia155@gmail.com