75-year-old law offices and businesses demolished after talks between the Bar Association and the administration
RAWALPINDI:
Following successful negotiations between the District Bar Association and the administration, a 100-year-old mosque and the adjoining residence of its Imam at the main entrance of Kachehri District were demolished to clear the way for the Kachehri Chowk flyover and underpass project.
Despite the demolition, worshipers continue to offer prayers at the site under tents. The District Bar Association’s 80-year-old sign on the main door was also removed, while 17 law offices and 14 kiosks, some of them more than 75 years old, were also demolished. Additionally, a gasoline pump was dislodged and sealed.
Land acquisition totaling 36 kanals has been completed for the Rs 6,494 crore project, which may now cost Rs 7 billion due to increased compensation payments. To alleviate public suffering, the project completion schedule has been reduced from ten months to eight.
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Most of the acquired land belonged to Fatima Jinnah Women’s University, followed by the Commissioner’s Office and District Courts. Bar Association President Sardar Manzar Bashir said all issues have been resolved. Alternative land and facilities will be provided, including a new mosque and law offices.
A Rs 2,000-crore commercial parking space will also be built at Jinnah Park, with capacity for 5,000 vehicles and motorcycles. Fences around Fatima Jinnah University are being rebuilt and drilling work has begun. WASA, Wapda and Sui Gas have changed lines. In other places uprooted plants and trees are being replanted.
However, heavy dust generated by construction has paralyzed traffic and increased air pollution, raising the city’s air quality index to 180. Residents have demanded that water be sprayed regularly to prevent dust from mixing with the air.
The closure has paralyzed traffic in the city and cantonment areas, turning a five-minute journey into a two-hour ordeal. Despite strong complaints from the traffic police, the situation worsened on the first day, when the guards disappeared from their designated areas.
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Hundreds of students were stuck in traffic and arrived late to schools, while undertrial prisoners and police vans from Adiala Jail were stuck in traffic for hours. Ambulances and government employees were also severely delayed, forcing many students and workers to return home.
Temporary crossings made by breaking up road dividers on major arteries have worsened traffic congestion. 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 in these areas has almost collapsed with traders estimating daily business losses of up to Rs 500 million. Citizens are facing difficulties in accessing Kachehri, Judicial Complex, Commissioner’s Office, District of Columbia Office, Department of Revenue and special courts. Women’s University buses were also paralyzed.
