RAWALPINDI: A parking plaza constructed at a cost of Rs440 million in Saddar has not been opened leaving all roads in the main commercial area choked with vehicles.

In 2014, the provincial government announced that three floors of the seven-storey building of the metro bus command and control centre would be utilised for the parking of motorcycles and cars.

During the construction of the metro bus track, the government had announced that the facility would be available for the users of the metro bus service and visitors to Saddar bazaars.

After the completion of the building on four kanals, it was handed over to the Punjab Metro Bus Authority (PMBA) which failed to open the parking space.

A senior official of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) told Dawn that the building was constructed for parking and only one floor was to be used for the metro bus control and command centre.

Constructed at a cost of Rs440m, the building was handed over to Punjab Metro Bus Authority in 2015

He said the RDA handed over the building to the metro bus authority in 2015 but the plaza was yet to be utilized for parking.

Haider Road, Bank Road, Adamjee Road and Kashmir Road in Saddar remain choked as visitors park their vehicles on the roadsides due to the lack of a parking space. The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board tried to utilise its vacant land for parking but due to the heavy fee the visitors avoid using it.

“It is difficult to visit Saddar in a car, especially Bank Road, from 3pm to 9pm due to the unavailability a parking space,” said Azizullah Shah.

“Canning Road has been encroached by vendors and motorists find difficulty to park their vehicles there,” said Shamsur Rehman, a visitor to Saddar.

Mohammad Adnan, a visitor to Haider Road, said a parking signboard was inscribed on the metro command and control centre but guards deployed on the gate did not allow motorists to enter the building.

On the other hand, the RCB is charging Rs100 to Rs200 as a parking fee which is unaffordable for the visitors, he added.

When contacted, Punjab Metro Bus Authority General Manager (operation) Uzair Shah said the parking plaza could not be opened to visitors due to security concerns.

He said the facility would be opened after consultation with the local administration.

But a senior official of the local administration there were no security concerns. He said CCTV cameras had been installed in the building and the security guards of the metro bus authority can check vehicles before allowing them entry into the parking plaza.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2018