LAHORE: The traffic conditions in Lahore are worsening daily, despite Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s repeated admonitions to the traffic police leadership to manage traffic better. Police officials appear to have shifted their entire focus to generating revenue, particularly by targeting motorcyclists.
Reports indicate that a significant portion of the provincial capital experienced its worst traffic on Monday, leaving motorists trapped in long lines throughout the day. This persistent congestion on major thoroughfares starkly highlights the negligence and incompetence of traffic police, which has also been linked to the increasing smog levels in the city. Experts cite vehicle emissions as a key contributor to air pollution and its associated health risks, noting that Lahore’s frequent traffic jams lead to higher toxic emissions that negatively impact air quality.
Sources reveal that Maryam Nawaz has expressed her frustration three times during prominent meetings since taking office. Each time, IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar and the Lahore Division Commissioner have come to support the city’s traffic police chief and other officials, requesting additional time to remedy the situation. However, the traffic department has yet to provide any relief to the residents of Lahore.
Monday saw reports of severe traffic jams across many roads in the city, leading to widespread frustration among citizens compelled to spend hours in congestion. Complaints arose about the slow-moving traffic on Ferozepur Road near the Sharif family’s Model Town residence, which caused significant inconvenience for motorists, including those trying to reach Gulab Devi Hospital and Children’s Hospital.
One resident, a gym owner from Gulberg who commutes daily from Iqbal Town, remarked that many traffic wardens seem more interested in issuing tickets to motorcyclists than in managing traffic flow, which is their primary duty. He noted that wardens often made motorcyclists wait to receive hefty Rs. 2,000 fines, resulting in frequent arguments and confrontations.
Disturbing reports indicate that the worst traffic congestion occurred on Gulberg’s Main Boulevard and nearby roads such as MM Alam Road, Jail Road, and The Mall Road, as well as on Davis Road, Babu Sabu, and Ferozpur Road from Kalma Chowk to Mozang. The numerous busy bazaars and markets, known for a range of goods from traditional clothing to jewelry, contributed to the heavy traffic on these routes throughout the day.
Specifically, a section of the road from Kalma Chowk to Ichhra Bazaar proved particularly troublesome for motorists, who faced continuous blocks. Similarly, bumper-to-bumper traffic was reported on roads leading from Liberty Roundabout, Mini Market, and Cavalry Ground to Hussain Chowk, areas known for popular shopping spots like Liberty Market and MM Alam Road.
Traffic was nearly at a standstill on major routes from Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital to Jinnah Hospital, as well as on connecting roads to Garden Town. Alternative routes through local neighborhoods like Model Town and Faisal Town were also congested and unhelpful. The situation was just as dire for motorists in the vicinity of Babu Sabu, Shalimar Link Road, Ghazi Road, and around the Lahore High Court, all battling significant traffic jams.
