RAWALPINDI: The slow re-carpeting of roads in the garrison city has caused numerous problems for motorists and pedestrians.

The roads, including Liaquat Bagh, Asghar Mall Road, and Rashid Minhas Road, were dug up before the February 8 general elections. The dug-up road connecting Marir Chowk and Kutchery Chowk has created traffic congestion in the area.

The roads also create dust and air pollution. Work on 42 schemes worth Rs2.07 billion was started before the elections but is yet to complete. These development schemes were started through funds available with Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation. There was no shortage of funds, but the schemes have been delayed due to negligence of the civic body.

The commuters have expressed their resentment and said the slow pace of work by the relevant authorities was creating lots of hardship for them. They said the civic body should complete the work as soon as possible. Amjad Malik, a motorist at Liaquat Bagh, said that shoppers and motorists were facing numerous problems while passing through roads that remained dug up for the last two weeks.

Mohammad Khan, another motorist, said that the uneven roads not only posed danger to two-wheelers but also for pedestrians.

Other visitors said nobody was listening to public requests and it seemed there was no monitoring system. They said that the work could be completed within two days if the departments properly handle it.

Pedestrians and motorists were of the view that there was no local government in the city and as a result nobody was ready to solve problems of common people.

When contacted, Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) officials said the repair and maintenance work would be completed soon. They said due to rain and the weather the work faced delay. They said work on the roads would be completed in a day or two.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2024