75-year-old bar associations, shops shut down after talks between the bar association and the administration
RAWALPINDI:
After successful negotiations between the District Bar Association and the administration, a 100-year-old mosque and its adjoining residence at the main entrance of District Kachehri were demolished to clear the way for the Kachehri Chowk bridge and underpass project.
Despite the demolition, worshipers continue to pray at the site under tents. The 80-year-old District Bar Association sign at the main gate was also removed, while 17 bar chambers and 14 kiosks, some over 75 years old, were also razed. In addition, a petrol pump was emptied and sealed.
Land acquisition of a total of 36 kanals has been completed for the Rs6.494 billion project, which may now cost Rs7 billion due to increased compensation payments. To ease public suffering, the project completion time has been reduced from ten months to eight.
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Most of the land acquired belonged to the Fatima Jinnah Women University, followed by the Commissioner’s Office and the District Courts. Bar president Sardar Manzar Bashir said all issues have been resolved. Alternative land and facilities, including a new mosque and law chambers, will be made available.
A commercial parking lot worth Rs 2 billion will also be built in Jinnah Park, with a capacity of 5,000 vehicles and motorcycles. Fences around Fatima Jinnah University are being rebuilt and drilling work has begun. WASA, Wapda and Sui Gas have moved their lines. Uprooted plants and trees are replanted elsewhere.
But heavy dust from construction has paralyzed traffic and increased air pollution, pushing the city’s air quality index to 180. Residents have demanded regular water sprinkling to prevent the dust from mixing with the air.
The closure has blocked traffic across the city and cantonment areas, turning a five-minute commute into a two-hour ordeal. Despite high demands from the traffic police, the situation worsened already on the first day, when wardens disappeared from their designated areas.
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Hundreds of students were caught in traffic and reached schools late, while under-trial prisoners and police vans from Adiala prison were stuck in traffic for hours. Ambulances and government employees also faced severe delays, forcing many students and workers to return home.
Temporary crossings made by breaking road dividers on the main arteries have worsened traffic jams. The closure has paralyzed 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.
Business activity across these areas has almost collapsed with traders estimating daily commercial losses of up to Rs500 million. Citizens are struggling to access Kachehri, Judicial Complex, Commissioner’s Office, DC Office, Revenue Department and Special Courts. Buses from Women’s University were also caught in gridlock.
