The Karachi traffic police on Tuesday issued a comprehensive traffic management plan for the 8th, 9th and 10th of Muharram to ensure smooth movement of traffic and maintain security during the main Ashura processions.
According to the traffic police, the main procession on all three days will commence from Nishtar Park and proceed along its traditional route before concluding at Hussainiya Iranian Imambargah.
As part of the security arrangements, M.A. Jinnah Road will remain closed to traffic from Guru Mandir to Tower. Commuters have been advised to use alternative routes.
People travelling from Nazimabad can reach their destinations via Lasbela Chowk, Nishtar Road and Garden, while those coming from Liaquatabad should proceed through Teen Hatti to Lasbela Chowk before turning left towards Central Jail and Martin Road.
On the 9th of Muharram, the section from Guru Mandir towards Liaquatabad will remain closed from 8:30am to 9:30am. Motorists travelling from Hassan Square and P.P. Chowrangi have been advised to use Kashmir Road, Society Light Signal and Shahrah-e-Qaideen.
Similarly, vehicles coming from Jail Flyover can travel via Teen Hatti, Nishtar Road and Lasbela Chowk. Traffic from Shahrah-e-Faisal heading towards Shahrah-e-Qaideen has been advised to use Society Light Signal and Kashmir Road.
The Karachi traffic police said Jamshed Road from Guru Mandir to Bahadur Yar Jang Road will remain closed from 10:30am to 1:30pm on the 9th of Muharram. Commuters travelling from Central Jail Gate towards M.A. Jinnah Road should use Bahadur Yar Jang Road and Soldier Bazaar.
People travelling from Garden Zoo towards M.A. Jinnah Road have been advised to use Uncle Saria, Gul Plaza and Coast Guard Road as alternative routes.
Heavy commercial traffic from the Super Highway and Gulberg heading towards M.A. Jinnah Road will be diverted via Liaquatabad No. 10, Nazimabad Chowrangi No. 2, Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road, Sher Shah and Maripur. The same route will be used for the return journey.
The traffic police further stated that heavy commercial vehicles entering the city from the National Highway will be permitted to use Shahrah-e-Faisal, Rashid Minhas Road, Stadium Road, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Hassan Square and Liaquatabad No. 10 before joining the designated diversion route.
Authorities said no small or large vehicle will be allowed beyond Guru Mandir Chowk along the procession route. All traffic will instead be diverted towards Bahadur Yar Jang Road and Soldier Bazaar.
Entry of all vehicles onto M.A. Jinnah Road will remain prohibited except for those carrying official procession stickers. Such vehicles will be allowed entry through Shahrah-e-Qaideen and Society Light Signal.
Participants travelling to the procession from Nazimabad have been advised to use Lasbela, Guru Mandir, Numaish, Liaquatabad, Teen Hatti and Jahangir Road. Those coming from Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Gulshan-e-Iqbal should travel via University Road, Old Sabzi Mandi, Kashmir Road and Society Light Signal towards Numaish.
The Karachi Traffic Police also announced that vehicles carrying drinks and food for distribution during the procession will be allowed to enter through Saddar Dawakhana and Capri Light Signal.
Authorities have strictly prohibited the parking of any vehicle along the procession route and urged citizens to follow the traffic plan and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure peaceful observance of Muharram processions.
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