But the new project is expected to be ineffective without the completion of the pending Leh Expressway.
The expressway project was announced by former federal minister Sheikh Rashid and could not be completed despite the passage of several deadlines. Later, the project was shelved, citing paucity of funds.
The project contained a 17-km double road, 30-feet wide on each side and comprising three interchanges and five overhead bridges. Under the plan, a 22-km long signal-free corridor was going to be constructed along both sides of nullah. The expressway was to be made from Ammar Chowk to Katarian.
An official in the Rawal Town Municipal Administration told The Express Tribune that work on Leh project could have been carried out in 10 different phases. “But authorities were not interested in giving it importance because of political reasons.”
Another official in Commissioner Office said billions were being spent on beautification projects and new bridges but Leh project remained abandoned, despite being the main trouble area for the city for the past many years.
On the hand, Malik Shakeel Awan, told The Express Tribune that the project was delayed due to recent floods. He added that it was not solely a Punjab government project.
To a query, he replied that if the federation would release 50 per cent of its share in the project, the Punjab government “would certainly ensure its execution”.
He said that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had directed Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to prepare a new-work plan for Leh Expressway.
Meanwhile, city government officials said that the new city plan comprising five separate projects was insufficient to address traffic congestion in the city.
Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif recently approved the Rs2.6 billion project under which new flyovers and underpasses would be constructed on Benazir Bhutto Road (previously called Murree Road). The widening of the road on both sides will also be carried out.
Sources said that the city project was not ‘a new scheme’. Chief ministers have announced such projects time and again in the past. An official while talking The Express Tribune said that work on Benazir Bhutto Road would partially solve the issue, but Leh Expressway could be helpful in ensuring smooth flow of traffic in the city.
“Leh Expressway had been tailoured according to the needs of the city,” he added.
Spokesperson RDA said presently no new proposal was under consideration to start work on the Leh project. Responding to a question, he said work on a revised feasibility report of Nullah Leh Expressway could not be started so far.
As per the earlier plan, RDA was supposed to hire the services of a consultant. In this connection several construction companies, including National Engineering Services of Pakistan (NESPAK), were in the run to get the project. Frontier Works Organisation won this contract and work on the project had commenced before the elections.
The project was expected to take three to four years to complete. RDA had already made a payment of Rs681 million to the Land Requisition Collector to obtain land for the project.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2011.
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