The Rawalpindi Development Authority has announced plans to construct a multi storey steel structure parking plaza near the District Courts to address long standing traffic and parking issues in the area. The proposed project carries an estimated cost of Rs700 million and has been submitted to the Punjab government for final approval.
A senior RDA official said the need for a dedicated parking facility became urgent after completion of the Rs14 billion Kutcheri Chowk remodelling project. Previously a section of Jhelum Road was used for parking by lawyers litigants and court staff. Following construction of the flyover and underpass this parking space was eliminated causing congestion on surrounding roads.
The official said the proposed parking plaza would provide a permanent solution by accommodating a large number of vehicles within a limited area. The project aims to discourage roadside parking during office hours which has been a major cause of traffic bottlenecks around the courts complex.
RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza confirmed that the authority plans to construct the plaza using modern steel based construction techniques. She said the design would ensure maximum utilisation of land while allowing rapid execution. The parking plaza will be built on four kanals and will have three floors with capacity to park more than 360 vehicles at one time.
She added that the steel structure approach would reduce construction time and cost while meeting the growing demand for parking in high traffic zones. The project is intended to benefit lawyers litigants court employees and visitors who currently struggle to find parking near the judicial complex.
In addition the RDA has proposed another multi storey parking plaza near Liaquat Bagh to cater to traders and shoppers in Raja Bazaar and along Murree Road. The Rs2.5 billion project is awaiting approval and a no objection certificate from Wasa which currently uses the site for parking water tankers. If approved these initiatives are expected to significantly ease urban congestion in Rawalpindi.
