Closure of routes due to construction of underpass, overpass causes disturbances; Ambulances and school vans stopped for hours
A view of the start of the Kachhari Chowk (flyover, underpass) mega project. Photo: INP
Road closures due to the construction of the state-of-the-art Kachehri underpass and flyover continued to cause severe traffic disruption for the second consecutive day in Rawalpindi, with ambulances and school vans stuck in long queues.
After the traffic police appeared completely overwhelmed on the first day, the Military Police on Tuesday took over control of Kachehri Chowk, Jhanda Chowk, Governor’s Annexe, Mall Road and Old Airport Road area.
The Military Police opened a narrow passage exclusively for motorcyclists, offering a respite. Women and other stranded travelers began opting for bicycle transportation services through this corridor, significantly increasing demand.
However, negotiations between the district Bar Association and the project administration remain at a standstill. Talks held on Tuesday between Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), Deputy Commissioner (Cantonment), Bar President, Bar Secretary and a team of lawyers did not progress.
Lawyers have refused to vacate their offices and kiosks unless they are provided with an alternative location in advance. Fresh talks are scheduled for Wednesday, with the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) leading a full management team.
As part of Wednesday’s demarcation exercise, final boundary lines will be drawn around all land to be acquired for the project, including the law offices, ten bar-owned kiosks, the 130-year-old mosque, the site earmarked for the new executive block, the petrol pump and the parking area.
Once demarcation is complete, compensation and final decisions on alternative parcels will be negotiated. Under the revised plan, the historic mosque, which was previously expected to lose only a portion, will now be completely demolished and relocated to a new site. The Imam’s residence, located next to the Kachehri Gate, is also planned 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 in advance. Once the chambers, kiosks and the mosque are rebuilt – or funds are provided for their reconstruction – we will immediately vacate them and undertake the relocation at our own expense.”
Now a senior figure has intervened, raising hopes of an imminent deal. The Bar Council had written directly to this VVIP personality detailing the difficulties faced by lawyers, seeking immediate action to resolve the matter.
Due to delays caused by road closures, the District Bar Association has submitted a written resolution to all judges, requesting that no adverse orders be issued against any defendant for lateness or absence.
Commercial, business and social activities throughout the city remained paralyzed for the second day. The narrow lanes of the city center now look like main 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 disturbance would ease in the coming days. Meanwhile, trade associations have urged that busiest routes be converted to one-way corridors to ease congestion.
