RAWALPINDI: Commuters across Rawalpindi are grappling with severe traffic paralysis as ongoing construction at Katchery Chowk continues to disrupt mobility, turning routine travel into hours long ordeals. The large scale remodeling project has led to major road closures, pushing traffic onto already strained alternate routes.

The worst affected areas include Jinnah Park, Adiala Circle, and surrounding corridors where vehicles remain stuck for extended periods, especially during peak hours. On Monday, many citizens were forced to break their fast inside their vehicles as gridlock brought movement to a near standstill.

Daily commuters, including patients, students, and office workers, are bearing the brunt of the disruption. The situation has been further aggravated by poor road conditions on diversion routes, where dust, construction debris, and dug up surfaces have created hazardous travel conditions.

A key bottleneck has emerged on Harley Street, where a road excavated for a gas pipeline remains unrepaired even a month after completion of the work. The damaged stretch between Harley Street turn and Kalma Chowk has significantly slowed traffic flow, worsening congestion caused by diversions from the signal free corridor project.

Officials from City Traffic Police Rawalpindi have repeatedly flagged the issue to higher authorities, including the district administration and senior police leadership. However, their concerns remain unaddressed, leading to growing frustration among both commuters and traffic personnel managing the chaos on ground.

Residents say the prolonged closure of Katchery Chowk has exposed deeper flaws in traffic planning and coordination. With pothole ridden roads, unchecked encroachments, and lack of timely repairs, citizens fear that even after the project’s completion, the city’s traffic woes may persist unless urgent corrective measures are taken.