However, the Traffic Department at the Ministry of Interior had taken enough measures to ensure the situation was well under control.
Many public schools had arranged special programmes to welcome the children on the first day of the academic year while most Indian schools had resumed with the second term of the academic year which had started in April this year.
The Traffic Department had arranged special session for the students to raise awareness on traffic rules and regulations the occasion.
Long queue of vehicles at a area where road works are underway PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam
Several areas, especially the ones where schools are situated were crowded as school goers hit the roads early in the morning. Abu Hamour, Mesaimeer, Old Airport area among several others, witnessed heavy rush in the morning hours. Long queues could be seen at several interchanges and surrounding areas in these places.
Additionally, areas where several infrastructure development works are underway such as the old Olympic Roundabout and the road in front of Medical Commission leading to Industrial Area witnessed long queues of vehicles. There are also several other areas where road works are being carried out leading to diversions of narrow lanes.
The 22 February Expressway was another major route which had experienced heavy traffic in the peak hours. A long stretch of the road had long queue of vehicles and it took a long time for the motorists to negotiate their way.
It was reported that some drivers of school buses had lost their way in some areas due to the ongoing works, especially in the inner areas of the city. This confused some of the drivers who missed to reach the residence of some students.
A parent said his son’s school bus failed to reach our place. "I had to take him to the school early in the morning driving more than 20km all the way to Wakrah. Caught in the traffic, I reached my office quite late. When I checked with the bus driver, I was told that he could not find the way to my place,” explained the parent whose residential area is undergoing through several infrastructural developments.
Putting aside the minor inconveniences and difficulties for the motorists, the first day of the new academic year went off smoothly without any major traffic disruptions or accidents or other snags. While most schools have started their academic year, Qatar University will start the academic year next week bringing more vehicles onto the roads.
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