RDA loses Rawalpindi Ring Road project
Work continues on the Northern Loop of the Lahore Ring Road. EXPRESS/PHOTO: IJAZ MAHMOOD
The Punjab cabinet approved the transfer of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project from Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to Lahore Ring Road Authority (LRRA).
Earlier in March 2020, the provincial cabinet had taken the project from RDA and given it to LRRA citing ‘capacity constraints’ of the authority. The mega project was again handed over to RDA in June 2020. And now, the Punjab cabinet has made LRRA the executing agency again.
The Ring Road project was initiated in 1991 by RDA but could not be executed for a long time. The objective to construct the ring road is to improve economic connectivity and road transport efficiency in the twin cities, Rawalpindi-Islamabad .
Confirming the development in the provincial capital, Lahore, RDA Chairman Tariq Murtaza said, the matter would be referred to the Punjab Assembly for final approval. Notably, the Act that empowers LRRA over the entire province did not include Rawalpindi Ring Road Authority (RRRA). However, the provincial cabinet has now given approval of it.
Meanwhile, the design of Rawalpindi Ring Road prepared by the consultancy firm Zurich International is under review by NESPAK. Some 200 kanals-long alignment route has been de-notified while equal land area would be included in the new alignment.
Murtaza said that the approval of the completion of Ring Road under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode would expectedly be given in the meeting of Punjab Private Public Partnership Board on January 15.
At present, RDA is the executive agency of the mega road project while it has prepared recommendations on the alignment of 65 kilometre (kms) long route under which there would be nine overhead bridges, economic zones, and other facilities.
He further said that all the hurdles impeding the Ring Road project have been removed and the preparations for laying its foundation in the first week of March have been completed. After the ground breaking, the tender for the Ring Road project would be issued.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar would lay the foundation of the project deemed as a game-changer for Rawalpindi.
A public gathering would also be announced to mark the groundbreaking ceremony. The project is expected to create 100,000 jobs while the construction of the industrial zone would start in April-May.
In this regard, RDA Chairman Tariq Murtaza said that the work order for the project would be issued before the foundation-laying ceremony. He added that 65kms long signal-free corridor would be built under PPP mode.
RDA chairman said that there would be eight interchanges and 10 industrial zones along the road. The roads will have six-lanes while it would be flanked by 20-feet wide service roads.
The government would also plant 360,000 trees along Ring Road to mitigate environmental pollution while computerised signals would be installed too.
The construction of parks along service roads and the installation of benches are also part of the project.
Murtaza told that the establishment of a transport stand near Rawat along with fruit and vegetable markets would also be done.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2021.