The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has issued a comprehensive traffic advisory ahead of Independence Day celebrations, announcing a ban on the entry of heavy traffic into the federal capital from midnight tonight, August 12, until midnight on August 14.
The restrictions have been imposed in connection with the Independence Day ceremony scheduled for August 13 at Fatah Memorial in H-8, Islamabad.
Under the diversion plan, several major roads and link routes will remain closed or diverted for traffic during the celebrations. Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes to avoid inconvenience.
Major diversions
Traffic on both sides of the Expressway and Faisal Avenue between Korall Chowk and Khayaban Chowk will remain closed. Commuters from Rawat and Korall heading towards Islamabad have been advised to use Khanna Bridge, Lehtrar Road, Park Road, Rawal Dam Chowk, Murree Road, Serena Hotel, Suhrawardy Road and Jinnah Avenue.
Similarly, motorists travelling from Khayaban Chowk towards Korall have been advised to use Jinnah Avenue, Ninth Avenue, Double Road, Murree Road, Rawal Road and Old Airport Road.
Several loops around Faizabad, including the Faizabad Loop, Faizabad-Ojri Loop and routes from Rawal Dam towards Faizabad, will also remain closed. Traffic from Rawalpindi towards Islamabad has been advised to use Ninth Avenue, Jinnah Avenue or Murree Road via Rawal Dam Chowk.
The Garden Flyover on the I-8 side, Faiz Ahmed Faiz Road, Mir Chakr Road, Judicial Academy and Mir Zafarullah Road towards Fatah Memorial will also be closed to traffic.
Residents of I-8 and H-8 have been advised to use I-8 Markaz, Ninth Avenue and Jinnah Avenue for travel towards Islamabad, while those travelling towards Rawalpindi should use Ninth Avenue, IJP Road, Double Road and Murree Road.
The Garden near Shakarparian towards I-8 and Faisal Avenue will also be completely closed. Motorists heading towards I-8 have been advised to use Seventh Avenue, Jinnah Avenue and Ninth Avenue.
The road from Chand Tara T-Cross towards Shakarparian Garden Avenue will also remain closed, with motorists advised to use Seventh Avenue or Murree Road.
Peshawar Road towards Korianwala Chowk and Srinagar Highway will be closed for traffic in both directions. Motorists coming from Islamabad Chowk have been advised to use the Peshawar Mor Flyover, Ninth Avenue, Jinnah Avenue and Margalla Road.
Routes for airport and other travellers
Travellers heading to Islamabad International Airport have been advised to use Margalla Road, Jinnah Avenue, Peshawar Mor Flyover, Srinagar Highway and Iran Avenue.
Those travelling from Murree and Bhara Kahu towards Islamabad can use Murree Road, Serena Hotel, Suhrawardy Road and Jinnah Avenue.
Motorists travelling from Bhara Kahu, Murree or Islamabad towards Rawalpindi have been advised to use Rawal Dam Chowk, Park Road, Captain Naeem Tufail Shaheed Chowk, Lehtrar Road, Khanna and the Expressway.
Emergency routes
Special alternative routes have also been designated for ambulances and patients travelling to major hospitals.
Shifa Hospital: Ninth Avenue and Colonel Sher Khan Road.
PIMS Hospital: Jinnah Avenue, Ninth Avenue, Ibn-e-Sina Road and Margalla Road.
Polyclinic and CDA Hospital: Jinnah Avenue, Seventh Avenue, Margalla Road, Shaheed-e-Millat Road and Fazal-ul-Haq Road.
The Islamabad Traffic Police has urged citizens to plan their journeys in advance and use the designated alternative routes during the restrictions.
For further traffic updates, citizens can tune in to ITP FM 92.4 or follow the Islamabad Traffic Police’s official social media platforms.
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