PM to get briefing on Leh Expressway

Govt allows high rise buildings along the project

RAWALPINDI:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday will decide on the financial model of the Leh Expressway project which has been delayed for 13 years.

The project consists of an alternative route of road infrastructure in Rawalpindi and has the safest sewerage and flood control system.

The PM will be briefed on the proposed project by the consultant firm Nespak, Rawalpindi Development Authority Chairman Tariq Mahmood Murtaza and Rawalpindi Commissioner Muhammad Mahmood.

The project is being pushed by Railways Minsiter Sheikh Rasheed for the past several years.

According to sources, the premier will be informed about the government funding and financial model of the project which is based on the Private Public Partnership. As per conservative estimate, the cost of the project may exceed Rs80 billion.

With the emergence of an alternative route for traffic between the twin cities, floods and environmental pollution from Nala Leh will be exacerbated and precious lives could be saved while current traffic problems will also be eliminated.

High-rise buildings allowed

The construction of six to eight floored commercial buildings, plazas and towers has been allowed, albeit with strict SOPs, on both sides of the Leh Expressway, said Federal Parliamentary Secretary Anti-Narcotics Force Sheikh Rashid Shafiq.

High-rise commercial buildings on both sides of the expressway would make the area a commercial hub, creating thousands of new jobs, increase property prices and benefit the poorer citizens living on the banks of the water channel, he said talking to The Express Tribune.

Cabinet okays relief measures for construction industry

The construction of 40 small and large industries connected with the construction industry will also get benefit from the development activities, Shafiq said.

Fruit trees on Ring Road

Meanwhile, officials told The Express Tribune that the game changer project Rawalpindi Ring Road would be built on motorway style.

They said that it has been decided to plant fruit trees on both sides of the ring road. Around 300,000 fruit, flowering plant will be planted along the thoroughfare, which until now remains a dream on papers.

They said that the green areas on ring road will have benches where people could sit and enjoys chats in the evenings, with no fear of mobile snatchers. Families would be seen strolling along flower beds even at nights illuminated by colourful solar-powered lights.

The ring road will also have tuc-hops at suitable places. Statues of all kinds of wild animals including dinosaurs will be placed along the way. Students of National College Arts and universities will be given the task to make beautiful paintings on the walls along the road, officials claimed.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2020.