RAWALPINDI - The citizens have urged the authorities concerned to take solid steps to avoid traffic jam problem on city roads as the motorists travelling on city roads are witnessing worst traffic gridlocks across the city.
Several ambulances are also seen stuck in the long traffic queues on the roads. The commuters of public transport are the worst sufferers as traffic on several chowks is diverted to alternative roads. Traffic wardens are found absent from duty points and others made half-hearted efforts to regulate traffic.
A car rider Amjad said, “There is a traffic chaos everywhere and motorists were left abandoned.” The citizens have called on the authorities to outline a comprehensive plan to solve traffic congestion in the city as heavy traffic jam on city roads, especially at Raja Bazaar, College Road, Circular Road and Jamia Masjid Road after launching of Metro Bus Project on Benazir Bhutto Road (Murree Road), is creating a lot of problems for the masses of Rawalpindi city.
Talking about traffic jam in the city, people belonging to different walks of life said, “Benazir Bhutto Road, Raja Bazaar Road, Bank Road, Bunni Chowk, Said Pur Road, Peerwadhai Road, Tench Bhatta, and Chungi Number 22 have very much importance for the residents of Rawalpindi but  traffic jam has become a routine matter on these roads and the citizens are suffering great.”
Lack of traffic signals in Raja Bazaar and other important chowks of the city is also creating traffic problems. The traffic wardens also do not perform their duties properly in several chowks, said a motorist.
The citizens have urged the authorities concerned that strict checking of traffic rules violations, particularly on Saddar Bazar, Raja Bazar and Tench Bhatta roads should be ordered. The commuters face big traffic problems on several city roads due to heavy traffic load, traffic mismanagement, rules violations and encroachments.
Driving in Raja Bazaar, Saddar Bazaar and Tench Bhatta areas is enough to test the nerves of the commuters, Atif, a commuter, said. He added, “We daily face huge traffic mess particularly at the peak hours.” Five to 10 minute wait at all main traffic signals is a routine matter on busy roads, said Tahir, adding traffic problems on city roads could only be addressed through strict observance of traffic rules.
Meanwhile, traders have rejected new price list for edibles prepared by Price Control Committee. According to trader unions, district administration was making paper work just to make point score before Punjab government, according rules and regulation of Price Control Committee, traders and wholesalers to be consulted before making new price lists but district administration didn’t consult with them and imposed new price list which is not acceptable at any cost.