Web Desk: Islamabad traffic authorities have announced extensive road closures and diversions ahead of the Independence Day celebrations at the Monument of Victory in H-8, with restrictions beginning late on Aug. 12.
The measures are aimed at managing traffic around the venue and ensuring the smooth movement of participants and emergency services during the event scheduled for Aug. 13.
According to the traffic advisory, the entry of heavy vehicles into Islamabad will be prohibited from midnight on Aug. 12 until midnight on Aug. 14.
Meanwhile, several major roads and connecting routes will be closed to regular traffic, particularly those leading toward the Monument of Victory and surrounding areas.
Motorists have been advised to plan their journeys in advance and use designated alternative routes to avoid delays.
Traffic travelling between Korang Chowk and Khayaban Chowk will face restrictions, with Faisal Avenue closed in both directions.
Motorists travelling from Rawat and Korang toward Islamabad have been advised to use the Khanna Pul Loop, Lehtrar Road, Park Road, Rawal Dam Chowk, Murree Road, Serena Hotel, Suhrawardy Road, Jinnah Avenue and Margalla Road.
Similarly, traffic heading from Khayaban Chowk toward Korang should use Jinnah Avenue, Ninth Avenue, Double Road, Murree Road in Rawalpindi, Rawal Road and the old Airport Road before proceeding toward Korang and Rawat.
Several connecting roads around the Faizabad Loop, including routes linking the loop with Faisal Avenue and the Expressway, will also remain closed. The upper Faizabad Loop and the route from Rawal Dam toward Faizabad will be affected.
Commuters travelling from Rawalpindi to Islamabad have been advised to use Ninth Avenue, Jinnah Avenue or Murree Road toward Rawal Dam Chowk.
Those travelling from Rawalpindi toward Korang via the Expressway should instead use Rawal Road and the old Airport Road.
For motorists travelling from Rawalpindi toward Murree and Bahria Town, the recommended route runs through Faizabad, Murree Road, Rawal Dam Chowk and Kashmir Chowk.
Several roads leading directly toward the Monument of Victory will also be closed.
These include routes around the Garden Flyover on the I-8 side, Faiz Ahmed Faiz Road, Mir Chakar Road, the Judicial Academy and Mir Zafarullah Road.
Residents of I-8 and H-8 have been advised to travel through I-8 Centre toward Ninth Avenue and Jinnah Avenue. Those heading to Rawalpindi should use Ninth Avenue, IJP Road, Double Road and Murree Road.
The Garden-Shakarparian route toward I-8 and Faisal Avenue will be fully closed. Motorists heading to I-8 can instead use Seventh Avenue, Jinnah Avenue and Ninth Avenue.
Likewise, Chand Tara T-Cross toward Shakarparian Garden Avenue Road will remain closed, with Seventh Avenue and Murree Road available as alternatives.
Traffic movement between Peshawar Road and Koralianwala Chowk along Srinagar Highway will also be restricted in both directions.
Motorists travelling from Islamabad Chowk through Srinagar Highway have been advised to use Peshawar Mor Flyover, Ninth Avenue, Jinnah Avenue and Margalla Road.
Those travelling from Murree and Bahria Town toward Islamabad should use Murree Road, Serena Hotel, Suhrawardy Road and Jinnah Avenue.
Traffic heading from Bahria Town, Murree and Islamabad toward Rawalpindi should take Rawal Dam Chowk, Park Road, Captain Naeem Tufail Shaheed Chowk, Lehtrar Road, Khanna and the Expressway.
Airport-bound passengers should use Margalla Road, Jinnah Avenue, Peshawar Mor Flyover, Srinagar Highway and Iran Avenue.
Authorities have also designated alternative routes for ambulances and people travelling to major hospitals.
Traffic heading to Shifa Hospital should use Ninth Avenue and Colonel Sher Khan Road.
Those travelling to PIMS Hospital can use Jinnah Avenue, Ninth Avenue, Ibn Sina Road and Margalla Road.
For Polyclinic and CDA Hospital, motorists should use Jinnah Avenue, Seventh Avenue, Margalla Road and Shaheed Millat-Fazal Haq Road.
Traffic authorities have urged residents to use the alternative routes during the restriction period and avoid unnecessary travel through closed corridors.
For the latest traffic information, motorists can tune in to ITP FM 92.4 or follow Islamabad Traffic Police’s official social media channels.
