Closure of routes due to construction of underpass, flyover causing disruption; ambulances, school buses stuck for hours
A view of the start of the Kachhari Chowk mega project (flyover, underpass). Photo: INP
The closure of routes due to the construction of the ‘state-of-the-art’ Kachehri underpass and flyover continued to cause severe disruption to traffic for the second consecutive day in Rawalpindi, with ambulances and school buses stranded in long queues.
After the traffic police proved completely overwhelmed on the first day, the military police on Tuesday took over control of Kachehri Chowk, Jhanda Chowk, Governor’s Annex, Mall Road and Old Airport Road area.
The military police opened a narrow passage exclusively for motorcyclists, providing a respite. Women and other stranded commuters started opting for bike freight services through this corridor, which greatly increased the demand.
However, the negotiations between the District Bar Association and the project administration are still deadlocked. Talks held on Tuesday between the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), the Assistant Commissioner (Cantonment), the Bar President, the Bar Secretary and a team of lawyers made no headway.
Lawyers have refused to leave their premises and kiosks unless an alternative location is given in advance. Fresh talks are scheduled for Wednesday, with the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) leading 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 chambers, ten Bar-owned kiosks, the 130-year-old mosque, the site earmarked for the new executive block, the petrol pump and the car park.
When the subdivision is completed, compensation and final decisions regarding alternative grounds are negotiated. According to the revised plan, the historic mosque – previously expected to lose only a portion – will now be completely demolished and moved to a new location. The Imam’s residence besides the Kachehri Gate is also slated for demolition.
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 in advance. Once the chambers, kiosks and mosque are rebuilt – or funds are given for their rebuilding – we will leave immediately and will undertake the relocation ourselves.”
A high-ranking person has now intervened and raised hopes of an imminent solution. The lawyer had written directly to this VVIP detailing the difficulties faced by lawyers and sought immediate action to resolve the matter.
Due to delays caused by the roadblocks, the District Attorney has submitted a written resolution to all judges requesting that no adverse rulings be entered against any accused person due to late arrival or absence.
City-wide commercial, business and social activities remained paralyzed for another day. Narrow inner city lanes now look like arteries due to diverted traffic, making movement – especially for children – extremely difficult.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema said conditions on Tuesday had improved compared to the first day and expressed hope that the disturbances would subside in the next few days. Meanwhile, trade associations have called for the busiest routes to be converted into one-way corridors to ease congestion.
