Sealed Fawara Chowk parking plaza reopens

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has resumed operations at the city's only multi-storey parking plaza at Fawara Chowk through a self-collection system after keeping the facility sealed for 20 days over the non-payment of Rs48.2 million in outstanding dues by the contractor.

Official sources said the contractor had failed to clear the dues for seven months. Although the contractor reportedly offered to pay Rs15 million after the matter reached court, the RDA rejected the proposal and insisted on full payment before sealing the plaza on July 12.

Despite subsequently securing a court ruling in its favour, the authority kept the parking plaza closed until for 20 days, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of more than Rs100,000 per day.

The closure also deprived motorists of the city's only dedicated parking facility, causing inconvenience in the busy Fawara Chowk area.

Following the reopening from August 1, the RDA has assumed direct management of the facility through its own staff and introduced a self-collection mechanism.

To oversee daily revenue collection and ensure timely deposits into the authority's accounts, the RDA has constituted a Vigilance and Revenue Collection Committee. Officials said the parking plaza contract will be offered through an open auction, scheduled for August 17, to appoint a new contractor.