Development vision: New master plan for Faisalabad in the works

FDA chairman says it will be presented to the Punjab Assembly soon

FAISALABAD:

Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) Chairman Sheikh Ijaz Ahmed said on Sunday that a strategy for a new master plan for the city had been formed for systematic, coordinated, integrated and futuristic development in the city.

He said the plan sought more schools and health institutions closer to residential areas. He said the issue would be brought up in the Punjab Assembly soon. He was addressing a meeting with the business community at the chamber of commerce and industry.

He said the FCCI was a partner of the FDA, as both institutions were working for welfare and uplift of Faisalabad.



He said after he had assumed the post of FDA chairman a year ago, the authority had made sincere efforts to provide basic civic amenities to the masses.

“Special emphasis was given to construction of link roads for efficient connectivity within the city,” he said.

The FDA chairman said a proposal was for the construction of a wide road from Jaranwala to Satiana Road along the existing water course was under consideration.

He said the much-needed Jhall Khanuanna flyover was under construction and would be opened for commuters within two months.

He said the federal government had ordered construction of a new airport near Chak Jhumra. “We aim to provide safe drinking water to each housing unit of this city by 2017,” he said.

Ahmed said Haseeb Shaheed General Hospital was being constructed in the eastern part of the city at a cost of Rs2 billion to address health issues of the residents there.

Responding to questions about FDA City, he said basic facilities had been provided in two blocks.

“We expect industrialists of Faisalabad to build factory outlets and help the FDA colonise the city,” he said.

He said the issue of delay in construction of schools and health institutions in FDA colonies should be presented in the next meeting of governing body of the FDA. Responding to a question, he said construction of a commercial plaza in Gulistan Colony had been proposed. “Foundation stone of this project will be laid in the next few months,” he said.  FDA Director General Yawar Hussain said a consultant had been appointed for preparation of the master plan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st,  2015.