CAA suspends NOCs for overhead bridges

RAWALPINDI:

With half job done, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has cancelled the no-objection certificates (NOCs) for two overhead bridges on Airport Road.

CAA has declared bridges as a security risk despite that the foundation of both bridges on one side of the road has been laid.

The Express Tribune learnt that the CAA suspended the non-objection certificates (NOCs) for two each pedestrian and motorcycle bridges under construction by the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA).

The elected representatives of Rawalpindi have brought the matter to the knowledge of Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan.

As per details, the Airport Road is one of the busiest roads of the garrison city and so far, 36 people have died while several others have been injured in different road accidents on the road due to fast traffic movement.

The lawmakers of Rawalpindi had kicked off the project through RDA in which two each overhead pedestrian and motorcycle bridges worth Rs 70.5 million were to be built on the road.

Therefore, the development work on both bridges on one side of the road has been completed. However, before the commencement of work on the other side, CAA has cancelled NOCs. It has declared the bridges as a security risk due to the anticipated frequent movement of people and motorbikes. Hence, the project has fallen into a grey zone after the recent development.

The final decision on the issue is expected to be taken next week.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2020.