Commercial establishments take over footpaths

Bad roads are not the only issue that one faces in Rawalpindi city. Blatant encroachment of footpaths has been a problem that continues to remain unaddressed. Commercial establishments use footpaths for parking, seating, and placing name boards, blocking pedestrian access.

“Pedestrians are treated as second-class citizens across the city. More so in areas where there are mixed-used zones, where there are many commercial establishments. Many such streets are present where these shops and eateries have taken over footpaths, leaving pedestrians to jostle for space on the already poorly laid road and putting their lives in danger,” says Shahbana Batool.

“To illustrate what the average pedestrian in Rawalpindi city encounters, one can simply walk along the side streets in Satellite Town Commercial Market. Commercial establishments such as small shops, bakeries, and other eateries continue to usurp the footpaths in these parts without regard for pedestrians,” says Shafaq Zahra.

“Some of the ways that commercial establishments use for taking over footpaths are carving out seating arrangements for their customers by placing chairs and tables extending into the footpath, placing flex boards and signboards with the names of their shops and products and services offered by them. The boards are placed outside the entrance, on the footpath, blocking the way for the pedestrians,” says Danial Haider.

“The things that make the situation despicable are using the footpath to place display products, as storage space for items from the shops such as vessels used by restaurant kitchens, using footpath space to provide hand wash and other facilities to customers,” says Gufran Ali.