RAWALPINDI: Owing to the chaotic traffic situation, the provincial government announced constructing a parking plaza to cater to the motorists’ needs during rush hours at the busy roadway in Saddar, Rawalpindi. The plan to build the plaza was announced back in 2014, almost the same time period when tracks for the Metro Bus project were being constructed. However, four years down the line the parking plaza remains unutilised as commuters continue to park their vehicles at the roadsides. Because of this, roads adjacent to Saddar Bazaar Rawalpindi experience a traffic mess with roads remaining blocked for hours.
Moreover, many commuters have complained that the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board is charging them Rs100 to Rs200 as the parking fee for each vehicle which they consider to be exorbitant. On the other hand, the lack of security in the plaza has also been reported as one of the issues stopping people from utilising the facility. As the project has been completed with a hefty cost of Rs440 million, the authorities should ensure its proper utilisation while ensuring that the parking fee is minimal.
Irfan Ali
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2018.
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Original news : https://tribune.com.pk/story/1603127/6-unused-parking-plaza/