Renewed look: Pindiites visit Saddar Bazaar more frequently than ever

Newly renovated food street, metro bus make the trip worthwhile .

RAWALPINDI:

The historical and central location of Saddar Bazaar in Rawalpindi Cantonment makes the area a consistent go-to place for Pindities.

The bazaar lately went through an exhaustive period of choked and disgruntled traffic jams due to the construction of the Metro Bus Project. However, as things began to clear up, the newly-inaugurated bus service invited yet another horde of people visiting the bazaar, more frequently than ever.

The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) recently took up the task of creating a much-needed space and a rather peaceful sitting area for families, who turn towards Saddar to shop and dine out.

Under the RCB’s ‘Grand Uplift and Beautification Plan’, the cantonment board attempted to clear out encroachments, push-carts and huge billboards that were adversely affecting the original facade of historical buildings.

For anyone who frequently visits Saddar, after the completion of the Metro Bus Project the area does give off an air of a renewed look. However, despite all its beautification plans and efforts, authorities remain helpless in fixing the massive traffic problem.

The renovated pedestrian and food street was meant to remain closed for vehicles in order to make space for visitors to comfortably sit and eat. The RCB, however, has failed completely in implementing its original plan.

Several shop-owners at the food street said the decision of the board to close down Bank Road for vehicles was met with opposition from traders and shop owners.

RCB has managed to reach an agreement with traders. Now one half of the street is divided and reserved for pedestrians, while the other half remains open for one-way traffic after 6pm, said Cantonment Executive Officer (CEO) Faheem Zafar.

“Initially there was an issue of RCB workers encroaching over private properties, which belonged to shopkeepers, while renovating the pedestrian street,” a shopkeeper told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity. “However, the CEO, who supervised the project, did pay heed to our concerns and honoured our complaints,” he added.

Answering a question regarding the effects of the pedestrian street on business, Chaman Ice Cream General Manager Mehmood Khan said it is a good initiative; however, it had no special impact on sales. “Business has generally improved, but that is because of the metro bus,” Khan added.

The most notable feature of the pedestrian street is a designated sitting area in-front of the National Bank building. An artist corner has also been designated for flute players, tabla players, violinists and guitarists to perform at night.

However, according to shop owners, the sitting facility has in turn allowed groups of men to occupy the place all the time. It often results in untoward incidences and clashes, rendering the designated sitting area unsuitable for families. “The tables meant for families often remain occupied by groups of men,” said a shop owner.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2015.