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RAWALPINDI:
Rawalpindi’s only multi-storey parking plaza at Fawara Chowk remains closed 18 days after it was sealed, despite the conclusion of legal proceedings between the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and the former parking contractor.
The prolonged closure has intensified parking shortages in one of the city’s busiest commercial districts, causing severe disruption to traffic flow.
The parking plaza was sealed on July 12 following a dispute between the RDA and the contractor over unpaid lease payments. Although the litigation has now concluded and the contractor’s final contempt-of- court petition has reportedly been dismissed, the facility has yet to be reopened.
According to sources, the contractor had earlier secured a stay order from the court after the RDA initiated action over the non-payment of seven months’ rent. Before obtaining the injunction, the contractor had approached the RDA’s Estate Management Department with an application seeking to deposit approximately Rs15 million towards the outstanding rent. However, the department declined to accept the payment and instead demanded Rs48.2m, including surcharges.
Despite the legal dispute having been resolved, the RDA has so far neither recovered the outstanding dues nor restored operations at the parking plaza through its own staff.
Officials said the authority has now initiated the process of awarding a fresh contract for the management of the facility, although no timeframe has been announced for reopening the plaza.
The prolonged closure has created significant inconvenience for motorists and traders alike. With a parking capacity of more than 700 vehicles and motorcycles, the plaza served as the principal parking facility for the Fawara Chowk commercial area.
