ISLAMABAD: In view of the law and order situation in the federal capital Islamabad, the traffic police has issued a new advisory, according to which the Srinagar Highway from Zero Point to Serena Hotel Road will remain closed from both sides until further notice.
Citizens have been instructed to take alternative routes and follow the instructions of the traffic police to avoid any hassle during their journey.
According to the traffic police, all other entry and exit routes of the Red Zone will remain open as usual; however, some important changes have been made to maintain the flow of traffic.
Citizens coming to Islamabad from Faizabad can use Jinnah Avenue, while citizens going to Aabpara from Club Road and the Red Zone will have to take the Jinnah Avenue underpass from Faizabad Loop to Margalla Road.
Similarly, Club Road, Faizabad, and Express Highway have been suggested as alternative routes for traffic coming to Islamabad from Bhara Kahu, while citizens going to Bhara Kahu from Aabpara have been instructed to take Shakarparian Road.
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Islamabad Police has appealed to the citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and to strictly follow traffic rules while traveling to avoid any kind of trouble. For more information and updates, citizens should keep an eye on the official social media channels of Islamabad Traffic Police.
Meanwhile, The City Traffic Police Rawalpindi have announced a new traffic plan for the Mall Road underpass construction. The plan will take effect from February 24, 2025 (Monday).
A traffic police spokesperson said the Punjab government will begin construction work on the underpass on February 24. During the construction, Mall Road will be closed from Military Hospital to TM Chowk.
Traffic will be redirected to Haider Road, then to Kutchery Chowk via Marir Chowk, Murree Road, and Rashid Minhas Road. Parking will not be allowed on Haider Road and Murree Road up to the Jang building u-turn.
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Benish Fatima said extra staff will be posted on alternate routes to keep traffic moving smoothly.
She added that senior traffic officers, including the deputy superintendent of police for VVIP traffic and the DSP traffic headquarters, will oversee traffic flow on these routes.
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Earlier, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) board has approved plans to construct a cricket stadium in Islamabad and is considering establishing a Daanish University for students. According to a recent newspaper report, the CDA is revisiting the idea of building a cricket stadium, originally designated for Shakarparian in the 1960 master plan.
Additionally, the CDA is exploring the allocation of 50 acres of land in I-17 for the potential Daanish University project. These proposals were discussed during a CDA board meeting chaired by Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa on Thursday.
CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani stated that the board has provisionally approved the stadium project, pending finalization of the location. A feasibility study has been commissioned to identify a suitable site.
The Shakarparian area initially housed the Pakistan Sports Complex and other sports facilities. However, in 1979, an ordinance declared it a national park, halting further construction. In 2018, the Supreme Court canceled a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stadium project there.
The 1960 master plan for Islamabad, drafted by the Greek firm Doxiadis Associates, had earmarked 2,250 acres for a sports center. Over the years, this area has seen the development of a sports complex, museum, Lok Virsa, golf course, and Islamabad Club.
