Punjab Government to Build Rs1.25bn Mega Parking Plaza Near Katchery Chowk

Rawalpindi: The Punjab government has unveiled plans to build a mega parking plaza near Katchery Chowk to address chronic traffic congestion and parking shortages in the area.

According to official sources, the multi-storey facility will be developed on vacant land adjacent to Jinnah Park and will accommodate over 1,000 vehicles. The initiative aims to clear surrounding roads, including Mushtaq Baig Road and Jhelum Road, of on-street parking that has long contributed to gridlocks in the city.

A senior Punjab Highways Department official told APP that the eight-kanal structure will include a basement and three upper floors. “This parking plaza will provide a secure and efficient solution for visitors to nearby courts and government offices while easing pressure on the GT Road corridor,” the official stated.

The project carries an estimated cost of Rs1.25 billion and is currently in the final approval phase. Construction is expected to take one year, aligning with the timeline of the ongoing Katchery Chowk remodelling project, which includes two flyovers and three underpasses. A detailed traffic diversion plan has been rolled out to maintain traffic flow during construction.

Officials assured that the development will not disturb the green environment of Jinnah Park, with landscaping features incorporated into the design to preserve and enhance its natural appeal.

The Katchery Chowk area, a key junction connecting district courts, government offices, and commercial zones, has faced severe congestion due to the absence of organised parking. Once completed, the parking plaza is expected to improve traffic circulation, provide safer parking facilities, and support the urban mobility goals of the Katchery Chowk remodelling initiative.