ITP has issued a daily diversion plan at Shaheen Chowk on Margalla Road, effective 4–7 PM. See simple alternate routes, helplines, and driving tips.
Effective Hours, Location and Purpose
Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has declared a temporary diversion scheme at Shaheen Chowk in Margalla Road, in which the construction activities are still going on. The plan will be applicable on a daily basis between 4: 00 PM and 7: 00 PM to control congestion during the peak hours. Important checkpoints will be manned by ITP officers who will be able to direct motorists, enhance discipline in the lanes and free their way to emergency routes.
Alternate Routes You Can Use
- From E‑11 and DCI Road → use the F‑10 Service Road via Jinnah Avenue.
- From Ninth Avenue toward Margalla Road → turn right from F‑9 Park Gate 5, then go via F‑8 Park Road.
- From Margalla Road to F‑10 → either turn left from Faisal Chowk to Jinnah Avenue, or use PN Zafar Chowk (F‑8, near Ali Medical Center) to reach Jinnah Avenue or Ninth Avenue.
Signage and cones will mark the diversions; slow down well before each split and follow officer signals.
Who Should Prefer Which Route (Quick Guide)
- Daily office commuters headed to F‑10 or Blue Area: prefer Jinnah Avenue via Faisal Chowk; it links directly to business hubs.
- Families and shoppers from E‑11: F‑10 Service Road via Jinnah Avenue avoids construction pinch points near Shaheen Chowk.
- Traffic from Ninth Avenue aiming for sectors F‑8/F‑10: use F‑9 Park Gate 5 and F‑8 Park Road to stay off Margalla Road during 4–7 PM.
- School routes in late afternoons: coordinate pickup times 15–20 minutes earlier and share the diversion map with drivers.
On‑Ground Assistance and Helplines
The implementation of ITP involves the presence of wardens and mobile teams at the intersections that serve Shaheen Chowk. Merges, pedestrian crossings and temporal bottlenecks will be controlled by officers. To keep up with the real time situation, call Pucar-15 or 1915. Should something go awry, turn on hazard lights and pull over to a safe shoulder where possible and call the helpline giving your nearest landmark (e.g. Gate 5, PN Zafar Chowk, Faisal Chowk). Cooperate with the officers; lane cutting will delay everybody, and may cause accidents.
Simple Tips to Avoid Delays and Stay Safe
- Leave 15–25 minutes early for trips that cross Margalla Road between 4–7 PM.
- Keep a steady speed; harsh braking near cones can cause rear‑end crashes.
- Use indicators early, especially when merging into Jinnah Avenue from Faisal Chowk.
- Follow posted speed limits near construction; workers and machinery may be close to the live lane.
- For ride‑hailing and delivery drivers: update pickup pins to service roads to avoid U‑turns at closed medians.
- Motorcyclists: watch for uneven patches near channelisers; avoid squeezing between lanes at diversions.
The diversion is temporary and will be lifted once construction milestones at Shaheen Chowk are complete. Until then, plan ahead, use the suggested alternates and rely on ITP helplines for guidance.
