Absence of traffic signs at Kulsoom Plaza Intersection irritates motorists

Islamabad

Even after several months of the inauguration of Metro Bus Project, the new underpasses and connecting roads constructed to ensure smooth flow of the buses are without proper traffic signboards.

No connecting road on these intersections has the direction signs to guide the motorists, which results in cars often taking wrong turns surprising those coming from the other direction. 

Absence of proper road signs at the Kulsoom Plaza intersection has always confused motorists, but this confusion has multiplied following the construction of two underpasses and several connecting roads at the same junction.

The new additions were part of the Metro Bus Project launched in June 2014. Technically the new underpasses should have covered Fazal-e-Haq Road on one side and the Nazimuddin Road on the other. Instead there are T-junctions on both ends.

While most residents greatly appreciate the Metro Bus Project and the beauty that it has added to the capital, they however point to the maze of roads on either side of Jinnah Avenue where the bus runs. "Without any road signs people tend to get confused with the new layout," says Amina Sawar, a schoolteacher.

The new set of roads has led to many accidents with traffic lights not always functional. "I think the authorities are clueless on what to do with this set of roads," said Omer Qureshi, a resident of Sector F-6/1.

Many motorists are seen driving on the wrong sides on connecting roads, not intentionally but due to lack of road signs. "It is quite strange that neither the Capital Development Authority nor the Punjab Metro Bus Authority have paid any attention to this issue," said Omer.

Since several roads converge at these points, among them the slip lanes of 7th Avenue and Jinnah Avenue besides the Parbat and Sir Justice Abdul Rasheed roads, the junction has already seen numerous accidents.

The maze of intersections present a picture of ‘survival of the fittest’ where anyone not ready to compromise on speed, always gets the way. Although residents living in adjoining sectors are familiar with the tricky intersection, it is completely confusing for unsuspecting motorists.

Instead of taking some special measures to ensure accidents do not occur, the authorities sometimes even remove the cement blocks which are used as medians.

Aside from this maze, the authorities have not given much attention to the service roads running alongside Jinnah Avenue. "It appears all their attention was on Jinnah Avenue which looks neat and spacious, but once you steer off it you find big potholes," said Aamir Rasheed, another local.