Work on Rawalpindi Ring Road launched without funds – Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: Though about two-third of the land required for Rawalpindi Ring Road is but to be acquired, the development work on the Rs30 billion challenge was on Friday morning startedby the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO).

Interestingly, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has no funds for the development work and has requested the caretaker Punjab authorities to launch Rs4 billion. However, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaquat Ali Chatha mentioned he was assured that the quantity will likely be launched in a day or two.

The whole size of the highway is 38.3 kilometres, however the district administration has to this point acquired land from Chak Beli Khan to Adiala, which is 12km. Land for the 26.3km portion of the highway is but to be acquired.

The commissioner visited Gorakpur close to Adiala and reviewed the work pace plan. Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Nabil Sindhu, Assistant Commissioner Cantonment Qandeel Fatima, RDA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa and Nespak representatives have been current on the event.

RDA requests Punjab govt to launch Rs4bn, two-third of land but to be acquired; commissioner says CM needs highway prepared in six months

Talking to Dawn, Mr Chatha, who can also be the challenge director, mentioned the development work had been began and FWO mobilised its heavy equipment.

“Though the completion time was set as one yr, caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed to finish the challenge inside six months,” he mentioned.

About the land acquisition, he mentioned the district administration had already acquired land from Chak Beli Khan to Adiala Road which was 12km, and the remaining land will likely be acquired subsequent week.

“We have Rs6.7 billion which the Punjab authorities had launched final yr and this quantity could be used to accumulate the remaining land,” he mentioned.

However, he mentioned the caretaker authorities had been requested for funds for the development work, which will likely be launched in a day or two.

“We imposed part 17(4) of the Land Acquisition Act within the areas from Baanth to Thalian close to the motorway and the acquisition of land will likely be began from Monday. We will buy land from the locals on the market price and 15 per cent additional quantity will likely be given to the house owners,” he mentioned.

He mentioned the Land Acquisition Act’s part was imposed when the federal government needed to get land for a public curiosity challenge and the landowners have been compensated on the market charges. “We will compensate all of the landowners at good-looking charges,” he mentioned.

To a query about election fee’s restriction on new initiatives, the commissioner made it clear that the challenge was began final yr however work on it couldn’t be began.

“So, it’s not a brand new challenge however an ongoing one and there’s no restriction on such schemes earlier than normal elections.”

The commissioner the Ring Road was a vital public welfare challenge. “Elements who have been saying that the challenge had been canceled will likely be disillusioned right this moment. The RDA has a key function within the implementation of improvement initiatives,” he mentioned.

He mentioned the mega challenge will cut back site visitors gridlocks and facilitate motion of the residents of adjoining areas.

The 38.3km Ring Road could have 5 interchanges at Baanth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road and Thalian. An industrial zone may even be established across the highway.

The whole price of the challenge is Rs31.7 billion – Rs23 billion for building and Rs6.7 billion for land acquisition.

During the PTI authorities, two routes have been deliberate for the challenge and later work was began on the primary carriageway from Baanth on Grand Trunk Road to Thallian on the motorway.

Former prime minister Imran Khan laid the muse stone of the highway at Thallian in March 2022. The FWO was awarded the contract.

The PDM authorities briefly halted the challenge and gave the go-forward after finishing up a 3rd-get together validation of the route.

Former prime minister Shahbaz Sharif had directed the authorities to hunt a 3rd-get together advisor for validating the optimum route.

A three way partnership of Turkish and Pakistani corporations was tasked with deciding on the route from Baanth to Thallian.After getting its report, Mr Sharif additionally laid the muse of the highway at Rawat on August 8 this yr.

Published in Dawn, September twenty third, 2023