Sewage treatment plant planned

Rawalpindi commissioner asks RDA to submit land requirement

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has been directed to assess how much land is required for developing a sewage treatment plant in the Leh Expressway project, officials said on Saturday.

The thoroughfare planned to traverse along the garrison city’s main water channel, Nullah Leh, is expected to cut traffic congestion, allow swift access to inter-city highways and motorways besides preventing floods through protective walls.

The addition of a sewage treatment plant will help in efforts to recycle the polluted water of Nullah Leh.

During a meeting of city managers, Rawalpindi Commissioner Muhammad Mehmood directed the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to submit a report on the land available for the installation of the treatment plant.

He further directed the authority to submit a report if more land is required for setting up the treatment plant.

The commissioner chaired a review meeting on the progress on Leh Expressway on Saturday. Director Development Nazia Sadhan, RDA Director General (DG) Ammara Khan and other related officials also participated in the meeting.

While addressing the participants, Mehmood said that the government had to take move progress the development work in an organised way, adding that there should be strict monitoring of all development projects to ensure transparency in the project.

He directed the related officials to complete the financial model of the expressway in the week.

Mehmood further directed to devise a report on land acquisition for the expressway, particularly to determine how much land was owned by the state, how much was under private ownership.

It would also highlight the land which may be acquired under right-of-way.

The commissioner further directed officials to finish all targets that could not be met or were delayed due to the situation arising from the lockdown.

The participants also reviewed progress on other development projects in the city.

Regarding the parking plazas, the commissioner said that the parking issue in the city, particularly in main markets, was worsening every day.

Therefore, Mehmood said that disorganized traffic could be controlled after the construction of the parking plazas in all commercial markets.

He added that the construction of various designated parking spots is under consideration. Mehmood said that it would not only resolve the parking problem but also boost businesses in the markets. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2020.