Site visit planned amid Bank Road traffic standoff
Shoppers stroll along the newly revamped Bank Road in Rawalpindi’s Saddar area which has been turned into a pedestrian-only alley. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The first round of negotiations between the Cantonment administration and traders over the conversion of Bank Road into a walking street, which led to traffic issues, ended without a resolution.
Following protests from traders, including a shutter-down strike and a rally on Tuesday, the traders had suspended their protests after the Cantonment administration allegedly assured them that their demands would be considered.
However, on Wednesday, discussions took place at the Cantonment Board office between Station Commander Brigadier Ahmad Nawaz, Additional Cantonment Executive Officer Haider Shuja, Vice President Malik Munir Ahmad, and trader representatives, including Sheikh Hafeez, Zafar Qadri, Munir Baig, and others.
During the meeting, the traders stood firm on their demand to reopen Bank Road for traffic, citing that their customers had shifted to commercial markets and Islamabad after the road was closed to vehicles.
In response, the Cantonment administration explained that the core issue was traffic flow and the availability of parking spaces.
They suggested resolving the issue through a site visit, which is scheduled for Thursday.
Following this assurance, the trader representatives expressed satisfaction, and a joint visit to Bank Road, along with other roads and parking areas in the city centre, will be conducted today with Cantonment administration officials and traffic police officers.