Faisalabad’s Chaotic Arteries Leave Commuters Frustrated

Iftikhar Ahmed

Faisalabad: With unchecked population growth and an ever-expanding urban landscape, Faisalabad’s traffic woes serve as a snapshot of the challenges faced by rapidly growing cities in developing countries.

The city’s congested roads have turned daily commutes into a frustrating ordeal, undermining productivity, well-being, and the urban environment.

Decades-old road networks, once designed to accommodate a smaller population, now struggle under the weight of an exploding traffic load.

Iconic areas such as the Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) and its surrounding eight bazaars have become hotspots for gridlock, as a chaotic mix of vehicles, pedestrians, and vendors choke the city’s main arteries.

Commercial activities and encroachments have worsened the situation, transforming even short trips into time-consuming struggles.

Encroachments Add to the Chaos

Sidewalks have vanished under the sprawl of unregulated encroachments, makeshift stalls, and illegal parking. Traders’ organizations have repeatedly demanded action against encroachers, yet many traders themselves have permitted encroachments through questionable deals. Efforts by the traffic police to regulate the chaos often fall short due to these entrenched practices.

Past initiatives to relocate vendors to designated markets have failed, as many sold their allocated spaces and returned to the streets. Vendor leniency, such as allowing five feet of road space for businesses, has led to encroachments expanding to over ten feet, further narrowing key roads.

Lack of Public Transport 

The city’s lack of an efficient public transportation system has led to increased dependence on personal vehicles, rickshaws, and motorcycles, compounding the issue.

Veteran educationist Farzand Ali Jatt remarked, “The roads that once seemed spacious now resemble clogged veins, with vehicles crawling during peak hours.” He highlighted that poorly maintained roads, potholes, and unmarked lanes add to the misery of daily commuters.

Heavy traffic on main thoroughfares such as Faisalabad-Sheikhupura Road and Faisalabad-Chiniot Road far exceeds their capacity, with some roads witnessing vehicle loads as high as 23,000 daily. Planned U-turns are often ignored, and traffic rules are frequently violated, creating dangerous bottlenecks.

Economic & Health Repercussions

Professional driver Altaf Hussain noted that the outdated public transport system and rising reliance on ride-hailing services have further overburdened the city’s infrastructure.

Local transporter Muhammad Abu Bakar pointed out the economic impact, stating, “Delays in goods transportation increase costs and affect businesses.” He suggested widening roads, building bypasses, and improving public transport as potential solutions.

Health expert Dr. Muhammad Qamar emphasized the adverse health effects of traffic congestion. “Prolonged idling adds to air and noise pollution. Commuters suffer from stress, anxiety, and respiratory issues caused by polluted air,” he said.

Metro Bus Service: A Beacon of Hope?

In response to the worsening traffic situation, Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) Managing Director Muhammad Asif Chaudhary announced plans for a metro bus service.

Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at an estimated cost of Rs. 70 billion, the project aims to introduce 100 environment-friendly buses on eight high-demand routes. The network is expected to expand to 35 routes, providing a reliable alternative for commuters.

“The metro bus service will be a game-changer for Faisalabad, easing traffic congestion, reducing pollution, and reshaping the city’s transport infrastructure,” said Chaudhary. The FDA is consulting stakeholders to ensure smooth project execution in phases.

Once operational, the metro bus service promises to transform Faisalabad’s urban landscape, offering a sustainable and efficient solution to the city’s escalating traffic crisis.