Commuters in Rawalpindi faced severe traffic paralysis on Sunday morning following the complete closure of several major arteries and significant restrictions on dozens of others, according to an official road situation report issued.
The critical Faizabad Murree Road has been shut down entirely, with both the carriageway towards Pindi and the carriageway towards Islamabad declared closed.
The disruption is extensive, with over thirty key routes reduced to a single lane of traffic in and out. Affected areas include the route from the Survey of Pakistan towards IJP, Shamasabad Metro Station at Dhoke Kala Khan Turn, Double Road Turn, and Naka Kattarian at Pindora Chungi.
Other chowks such as 6th Road Chowk, Chandni Chowk, and Committee Chowk are also experiencing severe bottlenecks, as is the Khana Pull on Kurri Road towards both Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Further adding to the gridlock, the ASF Gate, Naaz Cinema near Waris Khan, Liaquat Bagh Area turn, Jung Building U Turn, and Dav College Chowk are all restricted to single-line traffic.
The situation is similar at the Suzuki Stand and Haider Road in Saddar, Mareer Chowk, and the Naka at Gulzar e Quaide towards both cities. The Raheemabad Flyover, Khawaja Corporation, and Kalma Chowk are also heavily congested.
The report indicates that single-line traffic extends to major interchange points, including the Fateh Jang Tool Plaza, Thalian Interchange, Brahma Interchange, and the Margla Turn at Pirwadhai Bus Stand.
Routes like Naka Khayaban near Shah Najaf and Carriage Factory, Naka Mehrabad, Naka Chak Madad on Marble Factory Road, and 26 No. Chungi are similarly affected.
Disruptions are also reported on the outskirts, including Koral Chowk, Chakbell Mor in Rawat, Mandra Toll Plaza, Mandra Chakwal Mor, and Daultala Mor on the Mandra Chakwal Road.
The Missa Kaswal area at Bai Khan Bridge on GT Road, Gujjar Khan, Margala Picket Area in Taxila on both sides, and the Mangal Bypass in Kallar Svedan complete the list of routes with severe traffic restrictions.
In contrast, Chowks are confirmed to be fully open, namely MH Chowk, Kachehri Chowk, Sawan Bridge, Biscuit Factory Chowk, Chakri Interchange, and T-Chowk Rawat.
The M-1 motorway towards Peshawar and the M-2 motorway towards Lahore are operating normally.
