RAWALPINDI: The City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) will construct the boundary wall, and affix CCTV cameras, at the Pirwadhai General Bus Stand.

Following a survey, local administration, police and the police’s special branch recommended that a boundary wall be constructed around, and 22 CCTV cameras installed at, the bus stand. The CDGR has approved the recommendations, and the works and services department has been given responsibility of constructing the boundary wall as soon as possible.

Punjab’s second largest general bus stand was established at Pirwadhai in the mid 70’s, on the directives of then prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Prior to this, the main bus stand for residents of the twin cities was located on Murree Road near Liaquat Bagh.

The bus stand covers a total area of 207 kanals, has 36 bus bays, two petrol stations, 800 shops, four hotels, one canteen, two banks, a police check post and a post office.

CCTV cameras will also be installed at main bus terminal

The terminal was managed by the CDGR, which was responsible for collecting the buses’ entry fee, while the Rawal Town Municipal Administration (RTMA) collected rent from the shops, hotels, petrol stations and Suzuki and wagon stands, as well as the public bathrooms.

Before the establishment of local government in 2002, the now-defunct Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation was responsible for the management of the bus terminal.

When contacted, District Officer Transport Dr Mazhar Azeem confirmed that security arrangements have been made at the terminal, and work to install the cameras has begun.

He said the works and services department would begin constructing the boundary wall soon, and two main gates would be installed for the entry and exit of passengers and vehicles, for security reasons.

The district transport department on Wednesday sealed 22 workshops at the bus stand because the owners had installed entrances both within the bus stand and on the road behind it, creating problems for local residents.

“As it created problems for local residents and it will be security threat for passengers, the shops have been sealed. They will not be reopened until the owners submit written assurances that they will not construct doors at the back of the shop,” Dr Azeem said.

He said shopkeepers who have encroached onto the veranda have been issued notices as well.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2016