RAWALPINDI: Residents of Gawalmandi on Wednesday strongly protested against the construction of a shopping mall in the area, saying it would multiply traffic problems for them. The residents said that Gawalmandi was the busiest chowk of the city where traffic usually remained choked up, and the situation would get worse if construction of the shopping mall was allowed to continue. It was unfortunate that the foundation stone of the shopping mall had also been laid without making any consultation and seeking any opinion from the local social welfare committee, said the committee office-bearers. “It becomes very hard for students to reach their educational institutions in time due to the constant traffic jams in the area. This mammoth project of a shopping mall will add to our problems,” said a student. “Traffic in this chowk is so messed up that even ambulances cannot pass from here without getting stuck in long queues. The construction of this shopping mall will just make the area chaotic,” said an elderly citizen. Social and religious circles have also demanded the authorities concerned to immediately suspend the construction of the project.