Parking plaza at Fowara Chowk still a dream

RAWALPINDI: The construction of much needed parking plaza at Fowara Chowk in Rawalpindi is still a dream as the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RAD) could not complete the project so far.

The parking plaza, an initiative of the Punjab government to address parking problems at the commercial hub of the city was handed over to RDA and NESPAK prepared the project feasibility report and the PC-1.

Spreading over 4.5 kanals of land, the parking plaza will have five storey and a basement and will be located in the heart of the city on the crossing of Liaquat and Jinnah roads near Fowara Chowk where currently a van station exists.

The RDA has already released Rs.80 million to launch work on the first phase of the project having a capacity of parking 500 vehicles. The first phase will cost Rs 190 million in which basement and two storey of the plaza with parking capacity of 250 to 300 vehicles would be completed.

After the issuance of the work order, the boundary lines of the plaza were built and all the necessary preparations were made to start construction work. Although to further mitigate parking problems in the city, the Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has accorded approval of construction of another two multi-storey parking plazas in Commercial market, Satellite town at cost of Rs.668.927 million and Sherpao colony at cost of Rs.148 million.

But, a number of people believed that construction of new parking plaza would be a mere dream until the construction of Fowara Chowk parking plaza is completed.

Welcoming the initiative of the Punjab government, Mazhar Abbass, a resident said with the construction of the multi-storey parking plaza, people visiting Bara Market, Raja Bazaar, Sabzi Mandi, Sarafa Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Trunk Bazaar, Narankari Bazaar and other nearby bazaars could easily park their vehicles. He demanded of the concerned authorities to expedite the construction work to build the parking plaza as early as possible.

As this is a mega project but due to the non-interest of the concerned department, its construction is being delayed causing a huge loss to national kitty, Tariq Jameel, a motorist said.

Some commuters said that delay in construction of parking plaza has made their life very difficult. A commuter said that Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) should speed up the project and it should be completed within stipulated time of period.

When contacted to comment on the delay in construction work, the Director General, RDA was not available to share causes of the delay in completion of the project.
APP