The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has unveiled an ambitious urban project aimed at addressing the city’s growing traffic congestion and pollution. This plan includes transforming key market areas into pedestrian-only zones, expanding parking facilities, and introducing dedicated cycle and motorcycle tracks along significant routes, such as from Katchery Chowk to Murree Road, Faizabad.
The RDA has submitted this project for final approval to the Rawalpindi Commissioner. Among the proposals are the relocation of the cattle market and transport terminals along GT Road, clearing encroachments around Katchery Chowk, and improving traffic flow through strategic urban interventions.
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RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza emphasized the authority’s focus on combating illegal housing schemes, revealing that action has been taken against over 200 unapproved projects. She advised citizens to verify any housing scheme’s legitimacy with the RDA before making investments. Additionally, the RDA has banned new housing developments on agricultural land and has implemented measures to prevent illegal tree cutting as part of broader efforts to tackle environmental issues such as smog.
In collaboration with the Municipal Corporation, the RDA plans to clear encroachments along the Katchery Chowk to Murree Road corridor, including footpaths, and to create cycle and motorcycle lanes on both sides of Murree Road. Murtaza explained that the increased number of vehicles in narrow market streets is a significant contributor to traffic congestion and pollution. To address this, the RDA plans to designate busy commercial areas as pedestrian-only streets while expanding parking facilities in open spaces to accommodate vehicles. This project aims to improve urban mobility and reduce pollution, aligning with the city’s broader environmental goals.
