Key Takeaways
- Despite new underpass and flyover, illegal parking causes severe traffic congestion.
- Authorities announced a Rs. 1 billion parking plaza but construction has not started.
- Visitors and lawyers urge immediate action to address the ongoing crisis.
Illegal parking has once again caused severe traffic congestion outside the District Courts in Rawalpindi, despite the construction of a new underpass and overhead bridge to improve traffic flow.
Thousands of motorcycles and dozens of cars are parked along the road near the court’s main entrance, leading to frequent traffic jams, particularly during morning and afternoon peak hours.
Authorities had announced a complete ban on roadside parking and plans to construct a commercial parking plaza near Jinnah Park at an estimated cost of Rs. 1 billion, but construction has yet to begin, even after six months.
With no dedicated parking facility available, vehicles have returned to their previous roadside parking spots, undermining the purpose of the new infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the administration has awarded a roadside parking contract, with the contractor charging Rs. 100 per motorcycle and Rs. 200 per car, leading to disputes involving lawyers and litigants.
According to court visitors, around 25,000 people, including lawyers, employees, clerks, and litigants, visit the District Courts daily, but no proper parking facility is available.
They urged authorities to immediately begin construction of the proposed parking plaza, warning that traffic congestion would continue unless the parking problem was addressed.
District Bar Association President Malik Tariq Mahmood Sajid Awan said the association had raised the issue with the relevant authorities and demanded the construction of the parking plaza at Jinnah Park.
