Closure of routes due to construction of underpass and flyover causes disruption; ambulances, school vans stuck for hours
A view of the start of the Kachhari Chowk megaproject (flyover, underpass). Photo: INP
Road closures due to the construction of the “state-of-the-art” Kachehri underpass and flyover continued to cause severe traffic disruptions for the second consecutive day in Rawalpindi, with ambulances and school vans stuck in long queues.
After the traffic police were found to be completely overwhelmed on the first day, the military police on Tuesday took control of Kachehri Chowk, Jhanda Chowk, Governor’s Annex, Mall Road and the Old Airport Road area.
Military police opened a narrow passageway for motorcyclists, providing some respite. Women and other stranded commuters have started opting for bike-hailing services through this corridor, thereby sharply increasing demand.
Negotiations between the district bar and the project administration, however, remain deadlocked. Discussions held on Tuesday between the additional deputy commissioner (Revenue), deputy commissioner (cantonment), bar president, bar secretary and a team of lawyers were inconclusive.
Lawyers refused to leave their offices and kiosks unless an alternative location was provided in advance. Further discussions are planned for Wednesday, with the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) heading a full administrative team.
As part of Wednesday’s demarcation exercise, final boundary lines will be drawn around all the land to be acquired for the project, including law offices, ten kiosks owned by the bar association, the 130-year-old mosque, the site reserved for the new executive block, the petrol pump and the parking area.
Once demarcation is complete, compensation and final decisions regarding alternative plots will be negotiated. According to the revised plan, the historic mosque – which was only expected to lose part – will now be completely demolished and transferred to a new site. The Imam’s residence next to Kachehri Gate is also expected to be demolished.
District Bar Association President Sardar Manzar Bashir and Secretary Malik Asad Mahmood said: “We are not opposed to this national project. We simply insist that full compensation and an alternative site be provided beforehand. Once the chambers, kiosks and mosque are rebuilt – or funds are provided for their reconstruction – we will vacate immediately and undertake the move ourselves.”
A senior official has now intervened, raising hopes of an imminent settlement. The Bar had written directly to this VVIP personality to detail the difficulties encountered by the lawyers, requesting immediate action so that the matter is resolved.
Due to delays caused by road closures, the District Bar submitted a written resolution to all judges, requesting that no adverse orders be made against any defendant due to late arrival or absence.
Business, commerce and social activities across the city remained paralyzed for a second day. The narrow lanes of the city center now resemble main arteries due to diverted traffic, making travel – especially for children – extremely difficult.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema said conditions had improved on Tuesday compared to the first day and expressed hope that disruptions would ease over the coming days. Meanwhile, trade associations have called for the busiest routes to be converted into one-way corridors to reduce traffic jams.
