Rainwater submerged the roads, streets and bylanes of Rawalpindi. PHOTOS: NNI
RAWALPINDI:
Electric traffic signals installed along some of Rawalpindi’s busiest thoroughfares — including Murree Road and Rawal Road — are either non-functional or not operating properly, disrupting the smooth flow of traffic and causing increasing inconvenience to pedestrians attempting to cross the roads.
Despite repeated approaches to the relevant authorities, the faulty signals have yet to be repaired or restored.
Rawalpindi Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), Farhan Aslam, has formally written to the Commissioner of Rawalpindi Division, Engineer Aamir Khattak, highlighting the issue point by point and recommending that immediate directions be issued to the concerned authority to ensure that all traffic signals are repaired and made fully operational in order to maintain safe and efficient traffic flow.
According to the letter, traffic signals at 16 locations across Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas are either missing entirely or remain out of order. These include Committee Chowk (Murree Road), Kali Tanki Chowk (Saidpur Road), Hameed Khan Chowk (Rawal Road), Shell Pump Chowk (Commercial Market), Fauji Tower Chowk (Rawal Road), Chandni Chowk (Murree Road), FWO Chowk (Rawal Road), Rawal Road Mor (Murree Road), Siddiqui Chowk (Saidpur Road), Sixth Road Chowk (Murree Road), College Chowk (Saidpur Road), Punjab House Chowk (Rashid Minhas Road), Haidri Chowk (Saidpur Road), Mureer Chowk, Asghar Mall Chowk (Saidpur Road), and Bilal Shaheed Chowk (Scheme III).
The communication states that in the absence of properly functioning signals, vehicles from all directions attempt to proceed simultaneously, frequently resulting in congestion during peak hours and exacerbating traffic build-up.
It further notes that the lack of operational signals creates difficulties for both motorists and pedestrians and increases the risk of accidents. Public transport services are also affected, causing daily hardship to thousands of commuters.
The CTO has warned that without proper signal enforcement, many drivers disregard basic traffic regulations, further undermining discipline and worsening road conditions.
He has therefore urged that the relevant authority be directed to repair and maintain all electric traffic signals at key intersections to ensure smooth traffic movement and provide relief to the public.
The letter adds that recommendations for the repair and activation of these signals have been submitted on several occasions and on different dates; however, no meaningful action has so far been taken.
