Islamabad has witnessed worst ever traffic jam on Monday morning when hundreds of vehicles were seen stranded on the entry points of Islamabad particularly at Convention Centre Chowk, Serena Hotel Chowk, Golra Morr and IJP Road.
After a weeklong Eid holidays, people of Islamabad have started returning to their jobs and houses in Islamabad on Monday morning, big hurdles under new security plan for the capital were waiting for them.
Huge lines of stranded vehicles blowing horns and using abusive language against the administration the motorists mostly students and government servants who were eager to reach their offices and colleges in time. But the journey of few hundred meters took them hours. People remained stranded for hours at Dhokri Chowk, Kashmir Highway, Serena Chowk, Faizabad and Aabpara as traffic police have failed to open the roads.
The main cause of unprecedented traffic jams was new security plan evolved by Federal Government after it received threats of more suicide attacks. Islamabad was completely sealed and under government direction each and every vehicle entering in the capital should be passed through proper checking, which resulted in traffic jams.
Police personnel were deployed at about 80 entry points of Islamabad proved inefficient in checking as they failed to meet the incoming rush. Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has not allowed buses coming from outside to enter in the capital to off-load the passengers at Karachi Company (G-9) terminal. They diverted the buses to Rawalpindi, which has caused huge problems for people coming from other areas after celebrating Eid at native places. Huge rush of people was seen moving on foot along with their kids and baggage at Golra Morr, IJP Road and Ninth Avenue crossing.
When contacted the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) officials showed their helplessness in making smooth flow of traffic. They said that due to security plan the traffic plan of the capital has disturbed completely. "We had made the smooth flow of traffic possible by introducing signal free system with little changes. But new security plan has disturbed it," traffic police officials said.