Patients, families face financial strain; traders warn footfall may decline further
ISLAMABAD:
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has once again come under criticism after imposing a Rs100 parking fee in Islamabad’s extended Blue Area, a move that residents say is causing significant hardship for ordinary citizens, patients, visitors and businesses.
The extended Blue Area was originally developed as a modern commercial district designed to offer accessible public facilities, including hotels, hospitals, cafés, restaurants and corporate offices.
For years, the area remained easily accessible to families, tourists, office workers and patients without any parking charges. However, the introduction of a Rs100 parking fee per visit has dramatically altered the situation.
The policy has drawn particular concern over its impact on hospitals and medical centres operating within the area. Patients and their attendants, many already struggling with rising medical costs, are now required to pay parking charges on every visit. For those undergoing regular treatment or repeated consultations, the additional expense is being viewed as an unnecessary financial burden.
Business owners, especially operators of cafés, coffee shops and small commercial outlets, have also expressed concern over declining customer footfall. According to traders, many customers are now reluctant to visit the area for short meetings or casual dining due to what they describe as excessive parking charges. The reduction in visitor numbers is reportedly adding pressure to businesses already grappling with rising operational costs and economic uncertainty.
Residents have also questioned the CDA’s planning priorities and regulatory oversight. Critics argue that commercial buildings, plazas, hotels and hospitals should have been required to provide adequate parking facilities before receiving construction approvals. However, many structures in the extended Blue Area were allegedly allowed to operate without sufficient parking arrangements.
