75-year-old law firm and stores bulldozed after bar-administration negotiations
RAWALPINDI:
Following successful negotiations between the District Bar Association and the administration, a century-old mosque and the adjoining residence of its imam at the main gate of District Kachehri were demolished to pave way for the Kachehri Chowk flyover and underpass project.
Despite the demolition, the faithful continue to pray on site, under tents. The district’s 80-year-old bar association sign at the main entrance was also removed, while 17 law offices and 14 kiosks, some of which were more than 75 years old, were also bulldozed. Additionally, a fuel pump was emptied and sealed.
Land acquisition totaling 36 kanals has been completed for the Rs 6.494 billion project, which could now cost Rs 7 billion due to increased compensation. In order to alleviate public suffering, the project completion time was reduced from ten to eight months.
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Most of the land acquired belonged to Fatima Jinnah Women’s University, followed by the commissioner’s office and the district courts. Bar association president Sardar Manzar Bashir said all issues have been resolved. Alternative land and facilities, including a new mosque and law offices, will be provided.
A commercial parking lot worth Rs2 billion will also be constructed at Jinnah Park, with a capacity of 5,000 vehicles and motorcycles. The fences around Fatima Jinnah University are being reconstructed and drilling work has started. WASA, Wapda and Sui Gas have changed their lines. Uprooted plants and trees are replanted elsewhere.
However, dust from construction work has paralyzed traffic and increased air pollution, pushing the city’s air quality index to 180. Residents demanded regular sprinkling of water to prevent dust from mixing with the air.
The closure blocked traffic in the city and cantonment areas, turning a five-minute journey into a two-hour ordeal. Despite numerous complaints from the traffic police, the situation worsened on the first day when the guards disappeared from their designated areas.
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Hundreds of students were stuck in traffic and arrived late at schools, while undertrial prisoners and police vans at Adiala Prison were stuck in traffic for hours. Ambulances and government workers also faced severe delays, forcing many students and workers to return home.
Temporary crossings made by breaking road separations on main arteries have worsened traffic jams. The closure crippled major roads including Adiala Road, Mall Road, Murree Road, Rawal Road, Jhelum Road, Old Airport Road, Jhanda Road, Scheme-III Road, Ammar Chowk Road, Gulistan Colony Road, Tahli Mohri and Chakri 22.
Trading activity in these areas has almost collapsed, with traders estimating daily trading losses of up to Rs500 million. Citizens face difficulty in accessing the Kachehri, court complex, commissioner’s office, Washington office, revenue department and special courts. Women’s University buses were also stuck in traffic jams.
