Rawal Dam Chowk to Serena Road Closed in Islamabad

Islamabad Traffic Police has closed the Rawal Dam Chowk to Serena road from November 3, 2026, until further notice. The closure is in place because of construction work on the Kashmir Chowk underpass, and commuters on this corridor should plan an extra 20 to 25 minutes for their journeys.

Traffic in the opposite direction will continue as usual. Vehicles travelling from Kashmir Chowk towards Rawal Dam Chowk and Faizabad can still use the road, according to the diversion plan issued by the police.

Rawal Dam Chowk to Serena road closure

The closed stretch runs from Rawal Dam Chowk in the direction of Serena Hotel. It is a busy link for traffic moving between Rawalpindi and central Islamabad, and it also serves Park Road and the Aabpara area. The closure will stay in force until the police issue a further order, so drivers should treat it as open-ended rather than a one-day diversion.

Islamabad Traffic Police announced the closure on November 3, with the restriction taking effect the same day, according to ProPakistani’s report. Traffic officers will be present on the roads to guide commuters through the diversions. Further updates will be shared on the police FM 92.4 radio channel and on Islamabad Police social media pages.

Alternative routes for commuters

Commuters heading from Aabpara to Rawal Dam Chowk and Park Road should use Garden Avenue and Shakarparian Road. Traffic heading from Park Road and Faizabad towards Aabpara and Bhara Kahu should use Garden Avenue, Seventh Avenue and Srinagar Highway.

The Chief Traffic Officer has advised citizens to leave 20 to 25 minutes earlier than usual. Morning traffic on this corridor builds fast, and the diversions add distance as well as signals. Drivers who leave at their normal time risk missing appointments in the Serena, Aabpara and Faizabad areas.

Srinagar Highway carries part of the diverted load, so it may also run slower than usual at peak hours. Feature Pakistan earlier covered an incident on Srinagar Highway, which showed how quickly a single disruption can slow this route. Commuters using the highway as a diversion should allow for that extra pressure.

Why the closure matters for this corridor

The Kashmir Chowk underpass is the reason for the closure, and the project has already changed traffic patterns in the area more than once. Feature Pakistan earlier reported on the closure of the Rawal Dam Chowk to Kashmir Chowk road in October, when a nearby stretch was shut for similar reasons. That closure also ran until further notice, which shows how these construction phases can extend.

The underpass is a major junction project for the capital. Feature Pakistan earlier covered the Kashmir Chowk underpass opening. Ongoing construction around the junction means drivers should expect further phased closures as work moves from one stretch to the next.

For residents of Bhara Kahu, Park Road and Faizabad, the practical point is simple. The route into central Islamabad now runs through Garden Avenue and Seventh Avenue, and the return route depends on which direction the police keep open. Checking the FM 92.4 updates before leaving home will save time, especially for school and office traffic in the morning.

Frequently asked questions

Which road is closed in Islamabad?

The road from Rawal Dam Chowk towards Serena Hotel is closed to traffic from November 3, 2026, until further notice, because of construction work on the Kashmir Chowk underpass.

Can I still travel from Kashmir Chowk to Rawal Dam Chowk?

Yes. Traffic from Kashmir Chowk towards Rawal Dam Chowk and Faizabad continues to move as usual. Only the Rawal Dam Chowk to Serena Hotel direction is closed.

What are the alternative routes?

Commuters from Aabpara to Rawal Dam Chowk and Park Road should use Garden Avenue and Shakarparian Road. Traffic from Park Road and Faizabad to Aabpara and Bhara Kahu should use Garden Avenue, Seventh Avenue and Srinagar Highway.

How much extra time should I allow?

The Chief Traffic Officer has advised citizens to leave 20 to 25 minutes earlier than usual. Traffic officers are present on the roads to guide commuters, and updates are shared on FM 92.4 and Islamabad Police social media pages.