Thousands of commuters using Islamabad’s Park Road continue to experience long traffic delays as construction of the Margalla Enclave underpass progresses amid inadequate traffic management and poorly planned diversions.
A Google Maps traffic snapshot taken at approximately 10:07 p.m. showed heavy congestion stretching from Rawal Chowk through Rawal Town and NARC Colony to the construction site near Chaye Khana, highlighting the growing impact of the ongoing project on daily commuters.
Park Road serves as a key transportation corridor for residents of Chak Shahzad, Shahzad Town, Park Enclave, Park View City, and surrounding neighborhoods. It is also heavily used by people travelling to educational institutions, government offices, and commercial areas.
Diversions Add to Commuters’ Frustration
Residents and motorists have criticized the temporary traffic diversions introduced during construction, saying they are narrow, uneven, and poorly maintained. Many have also pointed to the absence of adequate road signs, lane markings, and traffic wardens to guide vehicles through the alternate routes.
The situation becomes even more challenging during rainfall, when water, mud, and construction debris accumulate on the temporary roads, making travel slower and less safe.
Motorists have reported damage to vehicles caused by rough road surfaces, while motorcycle riders face increased risks due to dust and hazardous driving conditions.
Longer Travel Times Despite Diversion Plan
The Islamabad Traffic Police had earlier warned that the underpass construction could increase travel times on Park Road by 20 to 30 minutes.
According to the official traffic management plan, vehicles travelling from Rawal Dam Chowk toward Tramri are diverted through NIH Road and Mohra Noor before rejoining Park Road. Traffic moving in the opposite direction is redirected near Chaye Khana through the CDA Nursery area using temporary roads.
Despite these arrangements, traffic congestion continues to build along the corridor, with long queues becoming a daily occurrence.
Project Expected to Finish in August
The underpass is part of the Rs. 10 billion Park Road infrastructure project, which also includes service roads, overhead utilities, and other road improvement works.
Government officials have stated that construction of the underpass is expected to be completed in July, while the remaining components of the project are scheduled for completion in August.
Until the project is finished, commuters are likely to continue facing significant delays on one of Islamabad’s busiest roads. While the development is expected to improve traffic flow in the long run, many residents believe poor traffic management during construction has turned Park Road into a daily commuting challenge.
