Patients and families face financial difficulties; Merchants warn that traffic may decline further.
ISLAMABAD:
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has once again come under fire after imposing a parking fee of Rs 100 in Islamabad’s sprawling Blue Area, a move that residents say is causing significant hardship to ordinary citizens, patients, visitors and businesses.
The expanded Blue Area was originally developed as a modern business district designed to offer accessible public facilities, including hotels, hospitals, cafes, restaurants and corporate offices.
For years, the area remained easily accessible to families, tourists, office workers and patients without any parking costs. However, the introduction of a parking fee of Rs 100 per visit has drastically altered the situation.
The policy has raised particular concern over its impact on hospitals and medical centers operating within the area. Patients and their attendants, many of whom already struggle with rising medical costs, must now pay parking fees at each visit. For those receiving regular treatment or repeat consultations, the additional expense is considered an unnecessary financial burden.
Business owners, especially operators of coffee shops, cafes and small retail establishments, have also expressed concern about declining customer traffic. According to merchants, many customers are now reluctant to visit the area for short meetings or informal dinners because of what they describe as excessive parking fees. Reduced visitor numbers are said to be adding pressure to businesses already facing rising operating costs and economic uncertainty.
Residents have 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 construction approvals. However, many structures in the expanded Blue Area were allegedly allowed to operate without sufficient parking provisions.
