SCO summit: Traffic plans issued for Islamabad, Rawalpindi

Traffic diversion plans have been issued for Islamabad and Rawalpindi in the wake of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, scheduled for October 14, 15, and 16, in the capital city.

Islamabad:

Over 1,100 traffic officers will be deployed across Islamabad to manage traffic flow. Citizens are advised to use alternative routes to avoid inconvenience caused by road closures and diversions due to high-profile movements.

According to the ITP spokesperson, traffic from Peshawar to Rawat via GT Road will be diverted through Taxila, Motorway, Chakri Interchange, Chak Beli Road, and Rawat. Drivers are urged to follow these routes to avoid the blocked roads during the summit.

Vehicles traveling from Lahore to Peshawar via GT Road will be redirected to Rawat, Chak Beli Road, Chakri Interchange, Motorway, and Taxila. The ICT Police have advised motorists to use these alternatives to ensure smooth travel.

Traffic coming from Margalla Road heading towards Rawalpindi will be diverted to 9th Avenue. Additionally, traffic from Faisal Avenue to Zero Point will also be redirected to 9th Avenue, ensuring a clear route for other vehicles.

For those commuting from Bhara Kahu to Rawalpindi, the police have recommended using Korang Road, Bani Gala, and Lehtrar Road as alternative routes. These roads will provide easier access for vehicles traveling during the summit.

Traffic coming from Rawalpindi to Islamabad will be redirected to 9th Avenue via Saddar and Murree Road. Motorists should use these alternative roads to avoid congestion on the usual routes.

Moreover, traffic between Zero Point and Koral Chowk on the Expressway will be completely closed. Citizens can use the service road as an alternative route to bypass this closure.

For those traveling from Colonel Sher Khan Shaheed Road to Faizabad, the police have instructed to use 9th Avenue from the Stadium Road signal, providing an accessible route during the event.

Heavy traffic traveling from Peshawar to Lahore will be diverted through Taxila, Motorway, Tarnol Phatak, and Fateh Jang Road Interchange. Similarly, heavy traffic traveling from Lahore to Islamabad and Rawalpindi via GT Road will be redirected to Chak Beli Road and Chakri Interchange, Motorway.

The spokesperson further stated that from October 14 to 16, all types of heavy traffic will be restricted from entering Islamabad. Citizens are requested to cooperate with the traffic police and follow alternative routes to ensure a smooth flow of traffic during the summit.

Rawalpindi:

The City Traffic Police Rawalpindi has issued a special traffic plan for the convenience of the general public during the summit.

According to City Traffic Police Officer Benish Fatima, a total of 622 traffic officers and officials, including 13 deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), 73 senior traffic wardens, and 536 traffic wardens and assistants will perform traffic duties during the three days of the conference.

According to the Traffic Diversion and Sealing Plan, heavy traffic would not be permitted to enter the city. Traffic going to Koral would be diverted from Chauhan Chowk to Rawal Road, Shaheen Chowk, and Murree Road.

The traffic going to Amar Chowk from Jhanda Turn will be diverted towards Scheme 3 or Kachhari Chowk, and the traffic going from Amar Chowk to Chauhan Chowk to be diverted to Rahimabad via flyover.

The traffic going from Annexe Chowk to Amar Chowk will be diverted via Jhanda Road (Jhanda Turn) Rashid Minhas Road.

Likewise, the traffic from Mushtaq Baig Shaheed Road to Airport Road would be diverted from Annexe Chowk to Kachhari Chowk, and from Kachhari Chowk to Airport Road to be diverted to Rashid Minhas Road to Murir Chowk.

The traffic going to Kachhari Chowk from Mall Road will be diverted to Rashid Minhas Road via Sarwar Road, Panj Sattar from Shalimar Chowk.