Commuters in Rawalpindi faced severe traffic gridlock 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 completely closed, and both the carriageway towards Pindi and the road towards Islamabad have been declared closed. The disruption is extensive, with more than thirty key routes reduced to a single inbound and outbound lane. The affected areas include the route from Survey of Pakistan towards IJP, Shamasabad Metro Station at Dhoke Kala Khan Turn, Double Road Turn and Naka Kattarian at Pindora Chungi. Other chowks like 6th Road Chowk, Chandni Chowk and Committee Chowk are also experiencing severe bottlenecks, as is Khana Pull on Kurri Road towards Islamabad and Rawalpindi. To further increase the traffic jam, ASF Gate, Naaz Cinema near Waris Khan, Liaquat Bagh area turnaround, Jung Building U-turn and Dav College Chowk are restricted to single lane traffic. The situation is similar at Suzuki Stand and Haider Road in Saddar, Mareer Chowk and Naka in Gulzar e Quaide towards both cities. Raheemabad flyover, Khawaja Corporation and Kalma Chowk are also heavily congested. The report states that single-lane traffic is extended to major interchange points including Fateh Jang Tool Plaza, Thalian Interchange, Brahma Interchange and 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 equally affected. Disturbances are also reported in the outskirts, including Koral Chowk, Chakbell Mor in Rawat, Mandra Toll Plaza, Mandra Chakwal Mor and Daultala Mor on Mandra Chakwal Road. Missa Kaswal area at Bai Khan bridge on GT Road, Gujjar Khan, Margala picket area in Taxila on both sides and Mangal bypass at Kallar Svedan complete the list of routes with severe traffic restrictions. On the contrary, 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 highway towards Peshawar and the M-2 highway towards Lahore are operating normally.
