Traders in Saddar have asked the federal government to make adequate Parking facilities mandatory for new commercial plazas.
They want authorities to ensure sufficient space before approving new commercial building plans in Rawalpindi Cantonment.
Traders said the shortage of Parking has become a serious issue in Saddar. The problem has increased since Bank Road was converted into a pedestrian-only street.
Vehicle access to Bank Road has also been restricted. Traders said this change has made it harder for customers to reach the main commercial area.
Zaffar Qadri, General Secretary of Markazi Anjuman Tajran Rawalpindi Cantonment, raised the concerns. He said existing commercial plazas also do not have enough Parking facilities.
According to Qadri, vehicles cannot park along the main road. Visitors therefore have to look for spaces on nearby roads.
These include Kashmir Road, Haider Road, and Adamjee Road. However, available spaces are not enough for the large number of visitors.
The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has allocated two Parking areas in Saddar. One facility is located on Haider Road near the Metro Bus station.
The second facility is situated in front of Ceros Cinema. Together, both areas can accommodate around 700 vehicles.
Traders said this capacity remains insufficient for Saddar’s growing commercial activity. The area has numerous shops, plazas, and daily visitors.
Qadri also discussed Parking facilities inside major commercial buildings. He said facilities at places such as Rania Mall have become less useful.
The issue has worsened since vehicles can no longer enter Bank Road. As a result, customers face additional difficulties reaching businesses.
Traders also claimed that new commercial plazas continue to receive construction approvals. They said some projects lack adequate Parking arrangements.
The traders’ association believes this situation is affecting local businesses. According to the group, poor accessibility has discouraged some customers from visiting Saddar.
They said reduced customer visits have contributed to financial losses for traders. The association wants authorities to address the issue before approving further construction.
Traders have demanded a halt to approvals for new commercial shops and plaza buildings. They want sufficient Parking arrangements to be made a condition for approval.
The association suggested two possible solutions. Authorities could allocate more land for public Parking or build modern Parking plazas.
Traders have also requested Parking facilities along the pedestrian section. The proposed area stretches from Cantonment Police Station Road to Murree Road.
Qadri accused RCB officials of failing to address the growing problem. He called on the federal government to intervene and find a practical solution.
The traders’ association also plans to meet senior cantonment officials. A delegation wants to discuss the matter with the cantonment executive officer.
The group also seeks a meeting with the RCB president. Traders hope these discussions will lead to improved access and better Parking arrangements.
They said a solution would benefit traders, customers, and the wider public. Better facilities could also improve access to Saddar’s commercial markets.
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The traders stressed that future development should consider transportation needs. They believe proper Parking facilities are essential for commercial areas with high visitor numbers.
