Murree Road remained completely blocked due to traffic jams. PHOTO: AGHA MAHROZ/EXPRESS/ARCHIVE
RAWALPINDI:
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has prepared a project to construct an additional 10-15 feet wide road on both sides of Murree Road from Liaquat Bagh to Chandni Chowk, covering a two-kilometre stretch, at an estimated cost of Rs 9 billion.
Under the proposed project, commercial structures along Murree Road will be demolished and land acquisition will be carried out to obtain the required space.
However, the Rawalpindi Traders Association rejected the plan, calling it an economic blow to traders due to elimination of trading areas.
As detailed, the traffic flow remains severely affected throughout the day in this section due to the reduction in the width of the road, which generates congestion and disturbs access to public and private offices and educational institutions.
On the contrary, traffic flows smoothly beyond Chandni Chowk towards Faizabad due to wider roads and presence of flyovers.
It may be recalled that during the Metro Bus project, an elevated road was constructed from Saddar to Faizabad to avoid huge land acquisition costs and loss of commercial areas.
However, the two-kilometre stretch between Liaquat Bagh and Chandni Chowk has again become a major bottleneck due to narrow roads and illegal parking.
The RDA plans to widen the road, including footpaths, by up to 15 feet on both sides, subject to approval and funding from the Punjab government.
Once implemented, around 70 to 80 percent of the commercial area along this stretch would be completely eliminated or severely reduced.
Central Traders Association president Sharjeel Mir said traders were not considered stakeholders and rejected the project, warning that it would wipe out a two-kilometre-long shopping area on Murree Road.
