Cattle market adds to citizens’ woes

Contractor ‘illegally’ extends market’s boundary up to busy road's edge

RAWALPINDI:

The cattle market established at the Bhata Chowk with the approval of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board has disrupted the routine lives of locals.

Complaints have arisen that the contractor has illegally extended the market boundary up to the road's edge, eliminating any available space for parking.

This situation has made it extremely difficult for citizens to access the market, resulting in severe traffic congestion, especially on the road leading from Chishtianad to Cantt areas. With Eid approaching, the situation is expected to deteriorate further.

Additionally, numerous illegal stalls and encroachments on the opposite side of the road and surrounding areas have exacerbated traffic problems.

Despite repeated complaints from residents, authorities have taken no action. Locals have voiced their concerns for years, stating that the market has significantly hindered their mobility due to the influx of cattle buyers and sellers on the streets. Yet, no remedial measures have been implemented.

Residents assert that while the cantonment board collects millions of rupees in taxes and rent from the market, these funds are not being used for local development. Instead, the money is diverted to other areas, sparking public outrage and silence from public representatives.

Local sources report that the market's influence now extends several kilometres, encompassing the entire sector of Islamabad's I-14. Consequently, they urge the Islamabad administration, traffic police, and CDA authorities to take special measures to address the issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2024.