Private sector to help in Pindi’s beautification

PHA plans to lease out portion of parks to food chains

RAWALPINDI:

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has devised a plan to decorate 105 pillars of the Metro Bus track in collaboration with private sector.

Under the project, all roads, intersections, underpasses, flyovers, and all 105 pillars on the Metro Bus track would be beautified and painted and a ride hailing service will bear the expenses in return of advertising space. Besides this, LED advertisement boards will also be installed to generate revenue for the city’s coffers.

PHA Chairman Asif Mehmood told The Express Tribune on contact that they would install benches for families and students in Liaquat Bagh. Along with it, there would an allocated area for the traditional drum-beaters too.

He said that PHA will also make study areas for students in Liaquat Bagh and Allama Iqbal Park as well.

The PHA official said that they had started beautification of pillars on the metro bus track near Faizabad.

Mehmood added that the uplifting of Committee Chowk Underpass, Chandni Chowk, Rehmanabad Sixth Road flyover, and Faizabad flyover will be part of the project too.

The walls of underpasses will be painted while different roundabouts in Rawalpindi will be beautified as well in collaboration with the Bykea ride hailing service.

The indigenous culture of Pothohar and Kohsar regions will be highlighted while colorful led motives would also be installed at various locations of the city.

The project will be completed by March 31 while Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar will examine the beautification on Murree Road in February.

PHA chairman told that they would install benches on different bus stops while they would have shades over them besides colorful dustbins.

Fruit trees

Further, PHA has formulated a plan to plant fruit trees in all 55 parks of Rawalpindi districts.

Up to two per cent of the land of big parks will be leased to local and international food outlets to set up their stalls.

PHA has also approved the establishment of McDonald’s branch at Allama Iqbal Park as the food outlet has won the bid in the tender.

PHA Chairman Mehmood confirmed this and told that they have started the installation of computerised video games and new rides in all big and small parks of Rawalpindi.

He added that area of Allama Iqbal Park is being expanded while a gym and a swimming pool will be made there too.

Besides this, the official said that the city club, on the same model as of Islamabad Club, will also be established while the security system of all parks has been made fool-proof.

PHA chairman said that security guards were being deployed in the parks along with the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

Mehmood said that the gates of all parks would be replaced with new beautiful ones.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2020.