RDA poised to acquire land along Ring Road

Authority plans to develop medical city, housing project along highway

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has issued the notification regarding land acquisition for building various projects along the Ring Road.

A notification of Section 4 was issued by the district administration on Friday. The section of the law allows government to acquire land from individuals as per decided rates.

RDA Chairman Tariq Murtaza said the authority will build a modern medical city, satellite town, a housing project under Naya Pakistan Housing scheme. Along with it, the acquired land would also be utilised for establishing a vegetable and fruit market as well as economic zone along the signal-free corridor.

Naya Pakistan housing project was included with the ring road projects after unavailable of land in Rawalpindi for it, RDA Chairman Tariq Murtaza said.

He added that the provision of other basic facilities including parks, schools, and markets would also be ensured for the residents of the housing project. The official asserted that the Rind Road project would prove to be a game-changer for the Rawalpindi division as it would not only alleviate traffic congestion but also promote economic activities.

Murtaza said that the alternate route for traffic would also reduce the noise and environmental pollution that the people living along the GT road experience. However, the chairman said that they were still deliberating over the financial model to be used for completing the project.

According to the documents seen by The Express Tribune, the work on the project would be completed by 2023. A large part of road would be flanked by commercial sites. Along with the commercial activity along with it, separate zones have been earmarked for setting up industries, health and education facilities.

An area of 300 acres has been earmarked for the construction of a hospital while 700 acres have been allocated for establishing educational institutions including a technical college. Moreover, a housing society under prime minister housing project would also be established along the Ring Road.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2020.