Karachi traffic police have decided to turn Saddar Market into a completely car-free pedestrian street as part of fresh steps to tackle growing traffic congestion in the city.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by the DIG Traffic, where officials reviewed parking and traffic issues during Ramadan. To ease pressure on roads, loading and unloading vehicles will not be allowed to enter the Saddar zone between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Authorities also agreed to improve and activate parking facilities in markets to ensure better management. Strict action will be taken against illegal parking.
During the meeting, it was decided that professional beggars at traffic signals will face legal action. Lifter officers equipped with body worn cameras will be deployed. Officials also agreed to remove encroachments and assign additional personnel to improve traffic flow.
Karachi, where many neighbourhoods now resemble densely populated towns, continues to struggle with worsening traffic conditions.
Citizens across the city have expressed frustration over long traffic jams. Ongoing development work and damaged roads have further increased public inconvenience.
Long queues of vehicles were observed around Saddar, M.A. Jinnah Road, and the Old City area. Heavy traffic pressure was also reported at Fawara Chowk, Zeb un Nisa Street, and near Metropole.
Congestion was noted on I.I. Chundrigar Road, Bolton Market, Tower, and Mauripur Road. Traffic also moved slowly at several points along Shahrah e Faisal.
Serious traffic jams were reported in Defense and on the Qayyumabad KPT Bridge, with long lines of vehicles near FTC, Nursery, and Baloch Colony.
Heavy congestion was also seen near the National Stadium Karachi, Hassan Square, and Isa Nagri. Banaras Chowk and Habib Bank Chowrangi faced significant traffic pressure. Movement remained slow in Liaquatabad, Teen Hatti, and Jahangir Road, where even short distances took considerable time to cover.