‘Leh Expressway to boost Pindi’s economy’

PM says project will help control urban flooding

RAWALPINDI:

Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the Leh Expressway would resolve long-standing problems faced by the Rawalpindi and Islamabad, but also boost economic activities.

The premier chaired a meeting to review the Rs79billion Nullah Leh expansion project on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister of Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid, and other related officials.

The participants were given a briefing on different development projects in Rawalpindi including Leh Expressway, Rawalpindi Ring Road and the establishment of industrial zones.

Addressing the meeting, PM Imran said that the locals of Rawalpindi city had been facing a plethora of problems due mismatched growth in population and the city’s infrastructure and the civic services.

He added that the Leh Expressway project will boost economic activities and help in the resolution of many problems.

The participants were told that the expansion of Nullah Leh, estimated to cost Rs79 billion, would help in preventing flood situations in the future. The officials told the meeting that Nullah Leh Expressway and schemes including water treatment plant, construction of commercial and residential areas on both sides of the Leh stream, and construction of bridges and underpasses for smooth traffic flow were also part of the expansion project.

The premier said the project is important because it will help save the city from urban flooding caused by the Nullah Leh in monsoon season every year.

PM Imran directed directed Punjab CM’s Adviser Dr Salman Shah to present final recommendations on Leh Expressway expansion after consulting with all stakeholders.

The government has decided to extend Leh Expressway from IJP Principal Road to Srinagar Highway and to start it under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

The project holder Chinese Civil Engineer Construction Company (CCECC) had given this recommendation which has been approved. The CCECC focal person Mir Ateequr Rehman confirmed the development while talking to The Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, residents of areas which have been demarcated for the construction of the Leh Expressway in Rawalpindi district have demanded that they should be paid market rates for their properties.

The Rawalpindi district administration has started marking the land on which the signal-free, dual carriageway will be built from Jhanda Chichi near Ammar Chowk to Khayaban-e-Sir Syed.

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