RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has closed the parking plaza at Raja Bazaar for a few days, adding to the rush on the roads connecting with Fawara Chowk.

The plaza was closed for the bidding of a new contract to collect fee from public transport and private vehicles using the parking area. The bidding was held on Thursday during which the highest bid of Rs8.5 million was received. The second highest bid stood at Rs6.3 million.

A senior official of the RDA told Dawn that some contractors objected to the process of the bidding due to which there was a possibility that the process would be held again. He said the director general of the RDA was busy in metro bus project and would decide the case in a few days.

He said the process should have been completed one month before the expiry of the contract, so that the new contractor can start the work without closing the building.

When contacted, Ajmal Bukhari, the RDA director land development and estate management, told Dawn: `The RDA is working on awarding the contract and the plaza will be open after completion of the process.

He said the bidding was held a few days ago as the previous contract expired last week. He said after completion of some requirements, the plaza would be handed over to the new contractor.

Meanwhile, the closure of the plaza forced the visitors to park their vehicles on the main roads in Raja Bazaar. As a result, the traffic police issued them tickets.

`If the parking plaza is not open, the citizens have no other option but to park their vehicles on the roads,` said Mohammad Moin, a visitor to Liaquat Road.

Waseem Ahmed, a motorist, added that he wanted to park his vehicle in the parking plaza but its gates were closed. He said finding a place for parking was a big problem in Raja Bazaar.