In a bid to resolve the persistent parking and traffic woes in Madina Market, the busiest and historic commercial hub of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) capital, civic authorities have banned the entry of vehicles into the market and established a parking lot on the vacant land that once housed a Radio Colony.
Additionally, several measures are also being taken to facilitate shoppers and residents, including the removal of encroachments and the establishment of public restrooms in shopping plazas, said Masoodur Rehman, divisional commissioner of Muzaffarabad.
Speaking to journalists in his office on Tuesday, he said that inadequate parking facilities and severe traffic congestion, particularly in the old part of the capital, had long been a major concern for residents.
In keeping with the situation, Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq had issued strict directives to urgently address these issues and implement additional measures to enhance the sprawling town’s overall appearance, he added.
The commissioner said the Radio Colony site, left unused after its residential quarters were razed in the 2005 earthquake, had now been repurposed into a parking lot with the support and cooperation of the management of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC).
“We are grateful to the PBC officials for their commendable role in resolving this major issue in the city,” he said.
Mr Rehman said a shuttle service had also been planned, operating between CMH Road and Hamam Wali Masjid, to assist shoppers navigating the sprawling market, which had expanded from a few shops in one street to multiple adjacent streets, housing hundreds of shops offering diverse goods, including Kashmiri art and crafts.
For permanent residents of the market’s neighbourhood, vehicle entry would be permitted on a scheduled basis, he said.
“All permanent residents will be issued passes, and only those with valid passes will be allowed to bring their vehicles inside,” the commissioner said.
To address the widespread encroachments in Madina Market and other neighbourhoods, notices had been issued to traders, directing them to voluntarily remove unauthorised structures by a specified deadline.
“After the deadline, a phased operation against encroachments will be launched across the city,” he warned.
“No one will be allowed to extend platforms or awnings beyond their shop shutters,” he added.
The commissioner further informed that parking on both sides of CMH Road had also been strictly prohibited to alleviate the severe traffic jams.
“Illegally parked vehicles will not only be removed by tow trucks but cases will also be registered against violators,” he declared.
He said that plaza owners in Madina Market and other parts of the city had been instructed to ensure compliance with approved building plans by providing parking spaces and public restrooms within their premises.
“Failure to comply will result in strict action, including the sealing of non-compliant buildings, without exception,” he added.
The commissioner urged citizens and traders to cooperate with the administration and municipal institutions to effectively tackle these pressing issues.
Tariq Naqash
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