City Chocked With Traffic Gridlock

LAHORE, Jan 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 04th Jan, 2017 ) : A massive traffic gridlock was observed on Wednesday in the provincial capital due to a rally organized by a religious party. The supporters of a religious party gathered in Gulberg and Ferozpur Road area in connection with Tahaffuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat.

The police blocked all major roads including Shadman, Jail Road, Canal Road, Mall Road, Ferozpur Road, Gulberg, Shahdara Chowk and others by placing containers in order to prevent any violent situation.

Owning to blockage of roads, thousands of commuters emained stranded due to blockage of roads and the situation remained even more disturbing at smaller arteries of the residential areas as several motorists tried to use them to avoid traffic mess on major roads but they got trapped.

A portion of Metro Bus service was also suspended.

The police resorted to teargas shells and baton-charge to disperse the protesters who staged a sit-in whereas a water cannon was also brought to the scene.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the City Traffic Police (CTP) said that 10 DSPs, 25 inspectors and 1,600 traffic wardens under the supervision of two SPs were performing duties to ensure traffic flow on roads.

The CTP also set up diversions on roads to maintain traffic on alternative routes. However, Capital City Police Officer Muhammad Amin Wains, DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf and DIG Traffic Ahmad Mobeen also visited various roads to monitor traffic and security situation in city.

The DIG Operations said that about eight SPs, 40 DSPs, 87 SHOs and 3,000 other policemen have been deputed to maintain law and order in the city and avoid any untoward situation.