ISLAMABAD: Islamabad residents faced severe traffic disruptions on Monday morning due to multiple road closures, ongoing construction, and a possible protest by lawyers.
Metro bus service in the twin cities was also suspended on several routes, adding to the woes of the commuters.
According to officials, buses from Rawalpindi to Islamabad operated only up to Faiz Ahmed Faiz Station.
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The route from Kashmir Highway to Pak Secretariat remained suspended on the directives of the district administration.
Heavy police deployment near Faizabad led to traffic congestion on the Islamabad Expressway as well as Srinagar Highway. Meanwhile, all entry and exit points of the Red Zone were sealed due to security concerns.
According to a police advisory, entry and exit routes at Serena, Nadra, Marriott, Express Chowk, and Tea Cross Bari Imam were closed from 6 AM until further notice.
Authorities advised citizens to use Margalla Road as an alternative route. Islamabad Traffic Police assured commuters of assistance and urged them to seek updates via the helpline (1915) or social media.
Adding to the chaos, traffic in F-10 was in disarray due to the closure of the newly constructed underpass at F-8. Large boulders and private security personnel blocked the road, causing further inconvenience to motorists. No prior notice was provided to the public regarding the closure of the underpass, due to which confusion and traffic mess was witnessed.
Commuters faced long delays throughout the city, especially during school timings. The absence of traffic police officers on main roads further worsened the situation.