The public traffic is constantly facing disruptions due to the ongoing work of the Margalla Enclave underpass.
The commuters using Islamabad’s Park Road are experiencing worsening traffic conditions as construction of the Margalla Enclave underpass continues.
The residents have raised their concerns over inadequate traffic management and temporary diversion routes.
A Google Maps traffic snapshot taken at around 10:07pm showed heavy congestion stretching from Rawal Chowk through Rawal Town and NARC Colony towards the construction site near Chaye Khana.
Park Road is a key route linking Chak Shahzad, Shahzad Town, Park Enclave, Park View City and several surrounding neighbourhoods. It also serves commuters travelling to universities, schools, offices and commercial areas.
Residents said that the temporary diversions created for the project have become a major source of disruption.
Many have complained that the alternative routes are narrow, uneven and poorly maintained, with insufficient road signs, lane markings and traffic personnel to guide motorists.
The situation is said to worsen after rainfall, when water, mud and construction material accumulate on the temporary roads, making travel more difficult.
Motorists have also expressed concerns about damage to vehicles caused by rough road surfaces, while motorcycle riders have reported reduced visibility due to dust and hazardous driving conditions.
The Islamabad Traffic Police had earlier warned that construction work could add between 20 and 30 minutes to journeys along Park Road.
Under the official traffic diversion plan, vehicles travelling from Rawal Dam Chowk towards Tramri are redirected through NIH Road and Mohra Noor before rejoining Park Road.
Traffic travelling in the opposite direction is diverted near Chaye Khana through the CDA Nursery area and temporary access roads.
Despite these arrangements, long queues continue to form during peak hours, suggesting the diversions have struggled to cope with traffic volumes.
The underpass is part of the Rs10 billion Park Road infrastructure project, which also includes service roads, overhead infrastructure and other road improvements.
Authorities have said that the underpass is expected to be completed in July, while the remaining work on the wider project is scheduled for completion in August.
Until then, thousands of commuters are likely to continue facing daily delays on one of Islamabad’s busiest transport corridors, even as officials say the completed project is expected to improve traffic flow in the long term.
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