RCB, traders still at odds over Bank Road row

The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) administration and trader representatives locked their horns over reopening Bank Road in the Saddar Commercial Area for traffic.

The dispute remained unresolved between the two sides even after several protests against converting the road into a walking street.

During a joint visit by the RCB administration, the traffic police and traders' representatives of the area, the administration emphasised on improving traffic flow and increasing parking spaces, while the traders insisted on reopening Bank Road for vehicles.

The visitors visited Bank Road, Haider Road, Adamjee Road, and parking areas Pothohar 1 and Pothohar 2. Participants included Station Commander Brigadier Ahmed Nawaz, Additional Cantonment Executive Officer Haider Shuja, Chief Traffic Officer Beenish Fatima, and trader representatives Sheikh Hafeez (President, Anjuman-e-Tajiran Cantt), Zafar Qadri (General Secretary), Muneer Baig Mirza (Chairman), Mushtaq Khan (Vice President), Babar Khan, Chaudhry Muhammad Hussain, and Sheikh Zeeshan.

Discussions covered opening U-turns on Haider Road, increasing parking spaces, and implementing one-way traffic on certain roads. The traders argued that reopening Bank Road for traffic is essential for reviving business activities.

The RCB administration noted various suggestions for finalising a new traffic plan for the Saddar Commercial Area. Station Commander Brigadier Ahmed Nawaz assured the traders that all proposals, including parking, traffic flow, and reopening Bank Road, would be carefully considered when drafting the new plan.