‘Model Roads’ gridlocked,

[Salman]

‘Model Roads’ gridlocked,

LAHORE - Traffic remained deadlocked on the first day of a traffic rules awareness campaign on 20 Model Roads in the city, including Canal Road and Jail Road 18 other designated roads. During the traffic awareness campaign, 20 designated ‘Model Roads’ would be equipped with timing traffic signals and 10,000 cyclists were to receive free reflectors to be put on their bicycles. The Traffic Education Team distributed 45,000 pamphlets amongst motorists on Model Roads on first day of the campaign.
However, the campaign was marred by the traffic mess caused by the blockade of the Jail Road to The Mall Underpass for carpeting purposes, which had extended beyond the Canal Road Expansion Project’s December 25 deadline. Vehicles remained deadlocked on Jail Road for hours. The situation worsened when traffic signals were turned off due to a power shut down, making it impossible for traffic wardens to control the situation. The traffic police’s awareness campaign vanished on these two major arteries of the city. The gridlock started building up in the early hours of the day and reached its peak mid day. The traffic problems in this part of city persisted till late night and Mall Road to Jail Road, and Jail Road up till Shadman and Jail Road to the FC College Underpass remained congested with traffic.
Traffic was also badly disturbed on Canal Road near Doctors Hospital, where the flow of vehicles remained suspended as a bridge was being constructed across the canal. There are currently five under passes being constructed on Canal Road and the one near Doctors Hospital was the first to enter this stage. The traffic disturbance on Canal Road is likely to continue due to construction of these bridges, despite the expiry of the proposed deadline of the expansion project. The awareness campaign also aimed at removing encroachments from footpaths and slow traffic lanes to improve the flow of traffic and facilitate pedestrians. Streamers and banners creating awareness about Stop Lines, Lanes and traffic signals were displayed on the chosen roads.
The Model Roads include Canal Road, Mall Road from PMG Chowk to Hajj terminal, Jail Road from Qartaba Chowk to Old Airport, Ferozpur Road from Qartaba Chowk to Gajju Matta, Multan Road from Chauburji to Thokar Niaz Baig, Lower Mall Road, Inner Circular Road, Outer Circular Road, GT Road, Wahdat Road, Main Boulevard Road Allama Iqbal Town, Main Boulevard Road Gulberg, Peco Road, Mcleod Road, Madr-e-Millat Road, Main Boulevard Road Johar Town, Davis Road, Sabzazar Road, Ravi Road and Moulana Shaukat Ali Road.
ALL 15 POLICE EMERGENCY CALLS TO BE RECORDED: Capital City Police Officer directed Lahore police on Monday to keep a record of the calls made on Police Emergency 15 at each respective police station.