CTP Announces Routes for Katchery Chowk Closure

News Desk 

Rawalpindi: With preparatory work for the Katchery Chowk flyover and underpass project in full swing, the City Traffic Police (CTP) Rawalpindi have begun finalising arrangements to implement a comprehensive traffic diversion plan to ensure smooth vehicular movement once the intersection is closed for construction in the first week of November.

On the special directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab Highway Department has initiated preliminary works, including the construction of retaining walls near Fatima Jinnah Women University and Jinnah Park.

These steps aim to facilitate the development of service roads and the relocation of utility services before the commencement of the main construction phase.

A CTP spokesperson said that Katchery Chowk is among the busiest intersections in Rawalpindi, with an estimated 200,000 vehicles passing through daily. To minimise public inconvenience, the department has designed an elaborate diversion plan offering alternative routes for motorists.

Under the proposed plan, traffic from Rawat T-Chowk to Old Airport will be diverted via the Bahria Town U-turn, passing through Bahria Town Phase-I, Gaya Chowk, and Gulraiz Gate No. 2.

Vehicles travelling from Jhelum Road towards Peshawar Road, the Motorway, or New Islamabad Airport will use Morgah Turn, Attock Oil Refinery Chowk, Education Board, Defence Road, and Tulsa Road to reach 22 Number Chowk via Kalma Chowk.

Similarly, traffic heading towards Saddar from Jhelum Road will be rerouted through New Lalazar, Foundation University, Raah-e-Aman Road, and COD Chowk. Motorists bound for Peshawar or the Motorway can use Khattak Chowk, Sher Khan Chowk, Qasim Market, and Peshawar Road, while those travelling towards Saddar can take TNT Chowk.

For Murree Road, the diversion will follow COD Chowk, Barqi Chowk, Convent Chowk, Shalimar Chowk, and PC Hotel, leading to TM Chowk. Vehicles heading towards Old Airport or Saddar will pass through Rahimabad Bridge, Chauhan Chowk, Rawal Road, Fauji Tower, PF Chowk, Ali Nawaz Chowk, and Shaheen Chowk.

The CTP spokesperson appealed to citizens to cooperate with the traffic police and follow the diversion plan once construction begins. He urged the public to exercise patience during the development phase to help ensure efficient traffic management.

Modelled after the Nawaz Sharif Flyover and GPO Underpass, the Katchery Chowk Flyover and Underpass Project is being described as a major public welfare initiative expected to ease chronic traffic congestion in the garrison city upon completion.