One of Rawalpindi’s busiest shopping hubs, Commercial Market in Satellite Town, is on its way to becoming a car-free, pedestrian-only zone — but not without some bumps along the road.
The Punjab government has now set a new deadline of December 30 for utility companies to complete all underground work, including burying electricity and telephone cables. Only after this will the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) be able to fully focus on beautification and pedestrianisation of the area.
From Choked Streets to Walkable Spaces
Launched last month, the Rs 300 million project aims to turn Commercial Market into a clean, organized, and walkable street where families can shop and stroll without constantly dodging cars, bikes, and roadside encroachments.
The plan includes:
• Removing encroachments that block footpaths and shop fronts
• Taking down messy overhead cables and shifting them underground
• Standardizing shop signboards for a neat, coordinated look
• Improving the overall aesthetic of plazas and buildings
Read more: First phase of underground cabling work completes in Rawalpindi’s Saddar
Plaza owners have been instructed to whitewash their buildings, while shopkeepers will have to replace their existing boards with uniform, approved designs to give the market a more modern, marvelous, and cohesive appearance.
Delays, Deadlines, and Traders’ Concerns
Despite the vision, progress has slowed because of delays from Iesco, SNGPL, and PTCL, which must first shift their lines and gas pipelines underground. Without this, surface work like paving, tiling, and landscaping can’t properly begin.
At a recent review meeting chaired by Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, officials were clearly informed to finish all underground work by December 30 so that RMC can move ahead smoothly with the beautification phase.
Originally, the pedestrian street was meant to be completed by June 30, but the timeline has now shifted, with the minister pushing for the project to be finished by March or April.
In the meantime, traders are feeling the pinch. Dug-up roads, construction material, and blocked access have played a major role in reducing customer footfall, leading to complaints and financial stress for many shopkeepers. RMC officials admit the frustration is justified but say the short-term inconvenience will be worth the long-term gain.
Read more: Electric shuttle service to begin in Saddar’s Pedestrian Bank Road
What This Means for Shoppers and Residents
Once completed, Commercial Market is expected to:
• Become a safer, family-friendly shopping street, free from vehicle chaos
• Offer a cleaner, more attractive environment with better lighting and organized signage
• Help local businesses in the long run by making the market a destination spot, not just a traffic corridor
If the new deadlines are met, Rawalpindi could soon boast one of the region’s most appealing car-free commercial zones, setting a model for other markets across Punjab.