LAHORE The traffic system established by the former government is gradually losing its efficacy as worst traffic mess had become order of the day in the City. Over the last three days, traffic chaos had been causing great inconvenience to the motorists at The Mall and other main roads and arteries. The citizens have expressed their distress over the failure of traffic wardens in controlling traffic while making numerous phone calls to The Nation on Tuesday. They said that traffic jams had become a routine matter while the wardens had failed in bringing the situation under control. Due to poor performance of the department, the situation is aggravating, which is a matter of serious concern, they complained. It may be mentioned that when the system was introduced it was considered a big test for the new traffic wardens to streamline the chaotic traffic in the provincial metropolis. No doubt, earlier the two-starred wardens were beaming with confidence after attending the passing out parade. Though their main task was to maintain discipline among the motorists and aware the general public about traffic rules. But now, it seems that they have been deployed merely to provide smooth flow to VVIP movements. Jam-packed traffic was witnessed for the last couple of days at most of the points in the City including Chowk Taxali, Chauburji, Chowk Istanbul, Bhekewal Morr, Dubai Chowk, Qainchi Stop, Chungi Amarsudhu, Model Town Morr, Chowk Shalamar, Do-Moria Bridge, Mochi Gate, Azadi Chowk, Chowk Yateem Khana, Morr Samanabad, Qurtaba Chowk, Canal Bridge, Lakshami Chowk, Regal Chowk, Davis Road and The Mall. Naveed Hussain Rizvi, a motorist, told this scribe that traffic was completely jammed from Siddique Centre till the end of Jail Road. This vehicular congestion lasted for two hours, he added. On Tuesday between 12:15noon to 2:00pm traffic mess was again witnessed at The Mall as TEVETA and APCA staged a strong protest demonstration in front of the Punjab Assembly. Traffic also remained suspended at Cooper Road due to another protest demonstration. On the other side, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has already expressed his distrust over the performance of existing traffic system, saying that traffic problem in the province especially in the City has assumed serious proportions and needs immediate remedial measures. Presiding over a high-level meeting regarding traffic management, the CM said that performance of traffic police was also disappointing due to which people were facing hardships. I want results and an effective strategy should be adopted for streamlining traffic system, and all-out resources should be utilised for this purpose, he said while giving directives. He said that traffic system was an indicator of discipline and civilization, but unfortunately in our society this system did not reflect this fact. He also said that this state of affairs could no longer be tolerated and measures be taken on war footing to improve the system. He ordered for adoption of short, medium and long-term policies to improve the traffic system. When contacted DIG Traffic Usman Khatak said, We are committed to introduce various reforms in existing traffic system. Lahore Development Authority, Cantonment Board, Municipal Authority and Tehsil Municipal Authority should adopt a mutual strategy in uplifting this system.