A multi-story parking plaza under construction in Islamabad’s Blue Area has remained incomplete more than two years after its original July 2023 deadline, leading to worsening congestion, blocked roads, and parking shortages in one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs.
Official letters sent by Nayatel to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) highlight the impact of the delay. In a letter dated November 21, 2024, Nayatel CEO Wahaj Siraj pointed out that the ongoing construction and blocked service lanes have created an unfavorable environment, especially during visits from foreign investors and dignitaries.
Another letter addressed to CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa on October 10, 2024 cited severe disruptions for over 900 employees and the general public. The situation has worsened following the removal of alternative parking arrangements by the Islamabad Traffic Police.
The incomplete plaza has also affected customers of a well-known restaurant in the vicinity, with many visitors facing serious challenges in finding parking. The shortage of accessible space has reportedly deterred patrons and created additional traffic bottlenecks during peak hours.
Correspondence dating back to March 2022 shows repeated appeals to CDA for alternative parking and swift project completion. However, stakeholders say no corrective measures have been taken so far. The calls for urgent action now include requests to clear occupied service roads and prioritize the plaza’s completion to restore normalcy to the area.