3 mega projects for twin cities in next budget

RAWALPINDI:

The government has formally decided to include three mega projects deemed as ‘game-changer’ for the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi in the next fiscal budget.

Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan confirming the inclusion of the projects in next year’s fiscal budget said it will be ensured that the long-awaited projects were finalised.

The projects include Rawalpindi and Islamabad Ring Road and a flyover at Sihala railway crossing flyover.

While talking to The Express Tribune on Saturday, he said that amongst all three, the biggest was the Rawalpindi Ring Road project and therefore, the government has issued a time frame for its completion too.

The minister asserted that the foundation for all three projects was expected to be laid between July and September. Explaining why they are being called a game-changer for the twin cities, they added that economic and industrial zones would be established around them.

The foundation for the project would be laid in the first quarter of the next fiscal year, he asserted.

Further, the minister asserted that the Sihala railway crossing had remained a headache for people for the last three decades. He added that it remains closed several times a day on the time when a train was scheduled to pass, ultimately resulting in a traffic jam.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2020.