Jinnah Park to host new parking plaza

The Punjab government has sanctioned the construction of a mega parking plaza to tackle the persistent parking congestion around Kachehri Chowk and adjoining roads.

The much-anticipated multi-storey facility will be developed on vacant land within Jinnah Park, providing secure parking for over 1,000 vehicles and helping to relieve pressure on the city's main thoroughfares. The initiative forms part of the wider Kachehri Chowk remodelling scheme, designed to enhance urban mobility and modernise the city's infrastructure.

A senior official from the Punjab Highways Department informed APP on Sunday that the plaza would span approximately eight kanals of land and comprise a basement and three floors. "The parking plaza will resolve the widespread on-street parking problem along Mushtaq Baig Road and Jhelum Road, offering the public a safe and well-organised parking alternative," the official stated.

He further noted that the project, estimated to cost Rs1.25 billion, is in the final stages of approval. Construction is expected to take one year, with the timeline being coordinated to coincide with the completion of the Kachehri Chowk remodelling project to ensure timely and integrated delivery.

Work has already begun on two flyovers and three underpasses at Kachehri Chowk and Jinnah Park, supported by a comprehensive traffic diversion plan. The official affirmed that preserving Jinnah Park's greenery, landscape, and recreational appeal remains a top priority, adding that the project is expected to further enhance the park's overall beauty.

The growing influx of visitors to the district courts and nearby government offices has made access to central Kachehri Chowk increasingly challenging, mainly due to irregularly parked vehicles along the GT Road and Mushtaq Baig Road. The proposed parking plaza is anticipated to greatly reduce congestion and improve traffic management in the city centre.

Urban experts believe that such infrastructure initiatives will play a crucial role in streamlining traffic flow and enhancing mobility across Rawalpindi.