Traffic chaos sparks public outrage amid PSL team movements
Asher Butt
As the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 intensifies in Lahore, so too has the frustration of the city’s commuters, who are facing growing traffic gridlocks due to security measures enforced for team movements between hotels and cricket venues.
On match day evening, traffic bottlenecks brought key areas of the city to a standstill. Motorists and motorcyclists found themselves stranded for up to 30 minutes near Muslim Town Mor, Canal Road, and its adjoining arteries, as law enforcement blocked routes for a team’s secure transit. By 8:00 PM, horns blared in protest as clearance was still not granted, leaving tempers frayed and commuters trapped in unrelenting traffic.
The strict security protocols—implemented to safeguard both foreign and local players—have significantly affected an already congested Lahore. Routes leading to Gaddafi Stadium and the LCCA Ground are being closed frequently, particularly around Liberty Market, Gulberg, and Ferozepur Road, areas that already experience heavy daily traffic.
"Yes, people are suffering, but ensuring the security of foreign teams and players is our first priority and in the national interest," said a traffic inspector, acknowledging the inconvenience but standing by the stringent measures.
The recurring closures, which have become routine during the tournament, have led to growing calls from the public for a modernized security strategy—one that ensures safety without paralyzing daily life.
“If the authorities considered the public’s suffering, they would find better ways to minimize problems,” said a local shopkeeper caught in the snarl. “Instead of being a source of entertainment, cricket events are now causing mental torture.”
In response to mounting public backlash, a PCB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the board is actively working to ease the disruption. A building near Gaddafi Stadium and the LCCA Ground has been acquired by the board, with plans underway to convert it into a dedicated accommodation facility for teams. Once operational, this could drastically reduce the need for long-distance travel through busy city roads.
“Our main priority should be to complete the building, which requires significant work before it can be transformed into a team hotel,” the official added.
Until then, however, Lahore’s residents will likely continue to endure heavy traffic congestion during match days—highlighting the urgent need for innovative planning that can strike a balance between security imperatives and public convenience.
