Islamabad’s Parking Crisis

APP

Islamabad: In the vibrant heart of the federal capital, where the pulse of daily life beats against a backdrop of bustling streets and evolving cityscapes, a transformative effort is underway to tackle one of urban living’s most pressing challenges, parking space.

For years, Islamabad has been grappling with the dual pressures of rapid population growth and increasing vehicle numbers, straining the city’s infrastructure, particularly its parking facilities.

As the number of vehicles registered with the Islamabad Excise Department already surpasses one million, vehicles registered in other cities also play the capital, further adding to the traffic load. This makes the capital’s roads and parking areas feel like they are shrinking rapidly.

Due to the lukewarm response of previous regimes towards this emerging challenge, the situation continued worsening, with capital roads and markets seen stuffed with vehicles, and thousands of them parked on the main arteries of the city.

Residents Saying

“Finding parking space at capital markets has become a great challenge,” said Asadullah Khan, a local businessman. “The daily rising number of vehicles is further aggravating the situation. If timely measures are not taken, traveling and parking at capital markets will become impossible.” As the space is shrinking with every passing day, Asadullah emphasized the need for underground or multi-story parking plazas and mass transit to address this issue.

Many residents believe that at a time when the civic authorities needed to focus on such issues, they have been preoccupied with other businesses and the development of housing societies, for reasons best known to them.

“When this problem was surfacing, our policymakers were busy with other affairs. So, the situation continued worsening under their nose,” said Rashid Mahmood, another capital resident.

What Steps Are Being Taken?

However, recognizing the urgency of the situation, the present municipal authorities have embarked on a series of measures aimed at alleviating congestion and ensuring smoother traffic flow across the city. Central to Islamabad’s parking reform strategy is the development of a multi-story parking plaza in the Blue Area.

This plaza would be completed soon and not only accommodate a large number of vehicles at a busy business center but also offer convenient and accessible parking options.

“Ensuring convenient and accessible parking is crucial for reducing traffic congestion and enhancing the overall quality of life in Islamabad,” remarked Azam Khan Lodhi, a traffic consultant at the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Some recent measures, like running metro buses on different routes and the introduction of electric buses, are also seen as positive steps toward addressing this issue.

“Recent intra-city electric buses have been a game-changer. They save much time and hassle, especially during peak hours. I’m glad Islamabad is embracing technology to improve urban mobility,” said Sarah Ahmed, a frequent commuter.

The spokesperson said that the city planners are also focusing on public transportation, cycling infrastructure, and more parking spaces.

“As many as 30 electric buses have started operating from NUST to PIMS and from PIMS to Bari Imam. The CDA will charge Rs. 50 flat fare from each passenger as charging points have also been set up for electric buses at Convention Centre and H-9.”

He informed that a fleet of 70 buses has also arrived in Islamabad for operating on 11 other routes, and the CDA hopes to receive the last fleet of 60 buses in the near future, taking the tally to 160 buses. “This initiative will facilitate commuters with safer and faster journeys and reduce pressure on the capital’s environment.”

How Can Technology Help?

For enhancing efficiency and convenience, he stressed the need to integrate advanced technological solutions into parking management systems.

“The introduction of smart parking meters and mobile applications can facilitate residents and visitors in locating available parking spaces, minimizing the time spent searching for parking, and optimizing the use of existing infrastructure. Such innovations would also help control vehicular emissions and related environmental pollution.”

Community Engagement

Beyond technological advancement, community engagement also lies at the heart of Islamabad’s parking management initiatives. Regular public consultations and feedback mechanisms enable authorities to tailor solutions that resonate with the diverse needs of city residents.

“By involving the community in shaping our parking policies, we can better address their concerns and create a more sustainable urban parking environment for them,” stated the CDA’s spokesperson. “As Islamabad continues to evolve into a modern metropolis, the commitment of authorities to resolving parking issues is of paramount importance.”

Meanwhile, environmental consultant Irfan Niazi said, “Investing in sustainable urban mobility is not a choice but a necessity to make the capital vibrant and a livable city for coming generations.”

Infrastructure Developments

In this context, he mentioned the approval of the CDA’s Development Working Party (DWP) of Rs 4.56 billion for underpasses and strategic loops at Serena Chowk Khayaban Suhrawardy and Convention Center Srinagar Chowk to ease traffic congestion, and Rs 3.9952 billion projects for Jinnah Avenue and 9th Avenue intersection, underpasses, and flyovers.

“These developments mark substantial progress in addressing Islamabad’s infrastructure needs, promising enhanced traffic flow and modernized urban management systems,” Niazi said.

With the array of initiatives now underway, Islamabad is poised for significant transformation in its approach to urban mobility and parking management. The development of multi-story parking plazas, expansion of public transportation options, and the integration of advanced technology into parking systems are all set to address the city’s pressing challenges.