Rawalpindi: The closure of Kachehri Chowk for remodeling has triggered severe traffic gridlock across Rawalpindi, as alternate routes crumble under pressure from heavy congestion and neglect.

The road linking Chaklala Scheme III with the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench, now serving as a major diversion, has become nearly unusable due to deep potholes, broken patches and uneven surfaces. Motorists say the battered stretch damages vehicles, while taxi and public transport drivers increasingly avoid the route.

The situation worsened after monsoon rains, leaving the road unrepaired for months. Adding to the chaos, an informal five kilometre market has sprung up along the stretch, obstructing traffic and slowing flow.

Residents of Yousaf Colony, Khayaban e Tanveer, Gulraiz Colony, Safari Villas, Gharibabad, Dhoke Chaudhrian, Khan Colony and Banaras Colony have protested the diversion plan, warning that the deteriorated road poses accident risks and has made daily commutes unbearable.

Sarwar Road is also choked during peak hours, especially near Sarwar Park and the Pearl Continental Hotel, where long queues of vehicles bring traffic to a standstill for up to half an hour.

Commissioner Aamir Khattak described the Kachehri Chowk remodeling as a “mega project” and a “gift” for the city, while admitting to initial public inconvenience. He has directed the local administration and traffic police to urgently repair diversion routes and warned that negligence would not be tolerated.

According to the City Traffic Police, extraordinary load persists on all alternate routes due to the ongoing closure. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel in the area and allow at least an additional 25 to 30 minutes for their daily commute as the city adjusts to prolonged construction work.