RAWALPINDI: A major reconstruction project on the historic Murree Road has triggered severe traffic congestion and commuter frustration after authorities shut a key stretch and diverted all vehicles to the Murree Expressway ahead of the busy summer and Eid travel season.
The closure affects the section from Satra Meel to Sunny Bank, where the Punjab Highway Department has launched an ambitious Rs3 billion upgrade aimed at widening dangerous bends and improving one of Pakistan’s busiest mountain routes. The district administration says the road will remain closed until the end of June.
Officials said the project involves rebuilding more than eight technically challenging points where traffic movement would have slowed construction and posed safety risks. To keep work on schedule, all public and private transport heading to Murree has been rerouted to the Murree Expressway.
The diversion, however, has created long queues and mounting complaints from residents and tourists. Locals say the alternative route adds significant fuel costs and travel time, while those living along Murree Road are struggling to commute daily to Rawalpindi and nearby towns.
Residents have urged authorities to adopt phased construction instead of a full shutdown. They warn that the closure could disrupt tourism during Eid holidays, when Murree experiences one of its largest annual influxes of visitors and traffic volumes surge dramatically.
Agha Zaheer Shirazi said access has been kept open for villagers living near the affected stretch and assured that a special traffic management plan will be enforced with police support next week. He said the administration is confident the upgraded road will reopen by the end of June, delivering safer travel and smoother access to Pakistan’s most popular hill station.
