Lahore: Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi on Tuesday reviewed traffic arrangements for the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and the annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA), directing officers to ensure smooth traffic flow and facilitate mourners and devotees.
During the visit, DSP Rashid Hayat, DSP Yaseen Bhatti and DSP Mubeen briefed the CTO on the traffic management plan and security-related arrangements.
The CTO said comprehensive arrangements had been made for devotees and participants attending the mourning procession and Urs, adding that no vehicle or bus would be allowed to park on the main roads.
He said Kutchery Chowk, Bhatti Chowk and the road from Pir Makki to Data Darbar had been closed to all kinds of traffic, while diversions had been established at 19 locations, including Milad Chowk, Akbari Gate, Shah Alam Chowk, Mori Gate, Taxali Chowk, Azadi Flyover, Kutchery Chowk and Pir Makki, due to the Chehlum procession and Urs celebrations.
Abdul Rahim Shirazi said that designated parking areas had been established to facilitate devotees and mourners. Milk supply vehicles, handcarts and rickshaws would reach the designated Sabeels through Azadi Flyover and Pir Makki, while milk carriers arriving from Kasur, Kahna, Burki Road, Bedian Road and GT Road would be diverted via Ring Road and Azadi Flyover.
He said that under the supervision of SSP City Zone Maqsood Loon, five DSPs, 111 traffic inspectors and 900 traffic wardens had been deployed to manage traffic while 15 forklifts and four breakdown vehicles had also been deployed to remove illegally parked and disabled vehicles.
The CTO said traffic from Shahdara towards Lower Mall was being diverted through Azadi Chowk towards the Railway Station to ensure smooth vehicular movement during the religious events.