Traders protest Murree Road expansion plan

Two-kilometre stretch to be widened with additional tracks on both sides

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has prepared a project to construct an additional 10 to 15 feet wide track on both sides of Murree Road from Liaquat Bagh to Chandni Chowk, covering a two-kilometre stretch, at an estimated cost of Rs9 billion.

Under the proposed project, commercial structures along Murree Road will be demolished and land acquisition carried out to obtain the required space.

However, the Rawalpindi Traders Association has rejected the plan, terming it an economic blow to traders due to the elimination of commercial areas.

According to details, traffic flow remains severely affected throughout the day on this stretch due to reduced road width, causing congestion and disrupting access to public and private offices and educational institutions.

In contrast, traffic flows smoothly beyond Chandni Chowk towards Faizabad due to wider tracks and the presence of flyovers.

It is recalled that during the Metro Bus project, an elevated track from Saddar to Faizabad was constructed to avoid massive land acquisition costs and loss of commercial areas.

However, the two-kilometre stretch between Liaquat Bagh and Chandni Chowk has again become a major bottleneck due to narrow roads and illegal parking.

The RDA plans to expand the road, including footpaths, by up to 15 feet on both sides, subject to approval and funding from the Punjab government.

Once implemented, around 70 to 80 per cent of the commercial area along this stretch would either be completely eliminated or severely reduced.

Central Traders Association President Sharjeel Mir said traders were not taken into confidence as stakeholders and rejected the project, warning that it would wipe out a two-kilometre-long commercial zone on Murree Road.