As the festive season of Eid approaches, Karachi’s Traffic Police have unveiled a detailed and robust traffic management strategy aimed at handling the expected surge in vehicular movement during the busy shopping days. This initiative involves the deployment of additional traffic personnel and the imposition of strict restrictions on rickshaws, taxis, and commercial vehicles in key commercial hubs and major thoroughfares across the city. The plan is designed to ensure smoother traffic flow and reduce congestion in some of Karachi’s busiest shopping districts.
Traffic Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Pir Muhammad Shah highlighted that section officers along with their teams have been strategically positioned at prominent shopping centres and bustling markets in various districts starting from today. These officers will be on duty daily from 7pm until late at night, a period that typically witnesses heavy traffic due to shoppers flocking to markets to purchase Eid essentials. The increased presence of traffic staff is also extended to major city roads to facilitate uninterrupted movement and prevent traffic snarls.
Under this comprehensive traffic management plan, several restrictions have been imposed on rickshaws and taxis to minimize bottlenecks. For instance, rickshaws will be barred from operating between Allah Wali Chowrangi and Ittehad Signal. Similarly, entry of these vehicles will be prohibited from Fawara Chowk to the General Post Office (GPO) area and from Singer Chowk to Zeb-un-Nisa Street. Additional restrictions are in place along the route from Tibet Chowk to Eidgah Chowk extending up to Jama Cloth Market, as well as on Main Rashid Minhas Road, all of which are known for heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic during the festive season.
Moreover, commercial vehicles arriving from Drigh Road will be rerouted via the Millennium Bridge towards Nipa, with rickshaws and taxis explicitly forbidden from passing underneath the bridge to avoid congestion. In case of severe traffic buildup near Hyderi Market, authorities have arranged for commercial traffic coming from North Karachi to be diverted from Five Star Chowrangi towards Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan and Landi Kotal Chowrangi. Likewise, vehicles originating from the Board Office area are advised to use alternate routes through KDA Chowrangi, Ziauddin Chowrangi, and Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan to access North Karachi efficiently.
For motorists traveling from MA Jinnah Road, the recommended routes include Singer Chowk, Preedy Street, and Saddar Dawakhana, which are expected to help distribute traffic more evenly and reduce pressure on main arteries. Traffic coming from the KPT Underpass is directed to proceed towards Clifton Bridge via Bath Island, while alternate routes within Clifton include Teen Talwar, Racecourse, and Chaudhry Khaliq-uz-Zaman Road. Additionally, vehicles from Sohrab Goth’s Sajan Kanta area have been guided to use Sarfaraz Ghouri Road as part of the traffic diversion plan.
In an effort to prevent unnecessary congestion near supermarkets, the traffic police have also declared that unauthorized rickshaw and taxi stands will not be permitted in close proximity to these retail outlets citywide. This measure is aimed at reducing traffic jams caused by illegal parking and passenger pick-ups in already crowded areas. Commercial vehicle drivers have been advised to follow alternative routes from Allah Wali to Noorani Signal, Medi Care, and Shahrah-e-Millat Road, as well as from Fawara Chowk to MR Kiyani Chowk and Sarwar Shaheed Road via Coast Guard, to reach popular shopping destinations like Regal and Tibet Centre without causing disruption.
DIG Syed Pir Muhammad Shah has appealed to the public to fully cooperate with the traffic authorities by adhering to the designated routes and traffic regulations during this critical period. He emphasized that such collaboration is essential to maintain order on the roads, ensure the safety of commuters, and facilitate a hassle-free shopping experience for all residents of Karachi during the Eid festivities.
