Patients and families face financial hardship; traders warn that attendance could decrease further
ISLAMABAD:
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has once again come under fire after imposing a Rs 100 parking fee in Islamabad’s extended Blue Zone, a move that residents say is causing significant hardship to ordinary citizens, patients, visitors and businesses.
The extended Blue Zone was initially developed as a modern commercial district designed to provide accessible public facilities including hotels, hospitals, cafes, restaurants and corporate offices.
For years, the neighborhood has remained easily accessible to families, tourists, office workers and patients, with no parking fees. However, the introduction of parking charges of Rs 100 per visit has changed the situation drastically.
This policy has raised particular concerns about its impact on hospitals and medical centers operating in the region. Patients and their companions, many of whom are already facing rising medical costs, are now required to pay parking fees during each visit. For those undergoing regular treatment or repeated consultations, the additional expenses are considered an unnecessary financial burden.
Business owners, particularly operators of cafes, cafes and small outlets, have also expressed concern over falling customer footfall. According to merchants, many customers are now reluctant to travel to the area for short meetings or casual meals because of what they describe as excessive parking fees. Reducing visitor numbers would increase pressure on businesses already struggling with rising operational costs and economic uncertainty.
Residents also questioned the CDA’s planning priorities and regulatory oversight. Critics argue that commercial buildings, plazas, hotels and hospitals should have been required to provide adequate parking facilities before receiving building permits. However, many structures within the expanded blue zone would have been allowed to operate without sufficient parking.
