Funds allocated for Rawalpindi’s mega projects
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The Punjab government has allocated funds in the new budget for the mega projects announced by the previous government including the Rawalpindi Ring Road, Leh Expressway, Kacheri Chowk, underpasses, three hospitals, six dams, road infrastructure, sports, health and water supply projects.
The government has allocated Rs120 million for land acquisition of the Leh Expressway project. The Rawalpindi Development Authority has already held a public hearing on the Nallah Leh Expressway and Flood Channel project to get the final no-objection certificate from the provincial environmental protection agency.
The signal-free Leh Express will be built from Ammar Chowk to New Kataria. The Leh Expressway and flood channel project has been envisaged to avoid the catastrophe of Nullah Leh, as an alternative traffic route.
Similarly, the provincial government has allocated Rs63 million for the Rawalpindi Ring Road project. The 38.3 kilometre-long Rawalpindi Ring Road project was inaugurated by former prime minister Imran Khan on March 19.
The RDA awarded the contract to the Frontier Works Organisation, however, since the inauguration of the project, no agreement has been reached between the FWO and the project director regarding the execution of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project.
The Punjab government has allocated Rs500 million for the double underpass project at Kachehri Chowk.
The Frontier Works Organisation will complete the mega double underpass project at a total cost is Rs 3.80 billion. According to data, more than 300,000 vehicles pass through this busiest road daily. This intersection remains busy with traffic from morning till late at night.
Similarly, the provincial government has allocated Rs1 billion for the Chahan Dam. The cost of the Chahan Dam water supply project has surged to over Rs8 billion after the Punjab government failed to release funds.
The Punjab government has allocated Rs200 million for Dadhocha Dam.
Similarly, the government has allocated Rs200 million for the Rawal Dam water treatment plant, Rs29.4 million for the milk mobile testing laboratory, Rs4.5 million for the Rawalpindi University of Technology feasibility study, Rs3 million for the construction of a food court in Rawalpindi, Rs500 million for construction of police building in Rawalpindi, Rs42.9 million for construction of Punjab Transport Company offices, Rs98.10 million for purchase of over 23 Kanal land for extension of Lahore High Court Rawalpindi building, Rs200 million for construction of high court judges’ suites, Rs120 for the construction of an overhead bridge to reach high court building.
Similarly, Rs20 has been allocated for the construction of the advocate general's office, Rs20 million for the construction of Rawat Police Training School, Rs15 million for the construction of Pirwadhai Police Station, Rs15 million for the construction of Kalar Syedan Police Station, Rs10 for the construction of Westridge Police Station, Rs10 for the construction of Police College Sihala examination centre, Rs16 million for the construction of Sihala Training CentreRs12 for the construction of Sihala Police Training Centre Investigation and Rs12 million for the construction of Police Station Chauntra.
Similarly, the government has allocated Rs13.8 million for the construction of the complex for the regional Anti-Corruption Establishment Centre, Rs10.3 million for underground tanks for storage of water, Rs48.7 million for the construction of Kotli Satian judicial complex, Rs30 for the construction of the district deputy commissioner's office complex, Rs35 million for the construction of Wilayat Homes Civil Officers’ mess and Rs 50 million for up-gradation of anti-terrorism courts.
Similarly, Rs15 million has been allocated for Police Civil Armed Forces Firing Range, Rs20 million for the construction of rural mall centre, Rs10 million for the construction of Kotli Satian small dams feasibility study, Rs250 million for Mohata Dam, Rs550 for the construction of Dadas Chhacha Dam, Rs50 million for Pubin Dam, Rs120 for maintenance and rehabilitation of Pothohar small dams.
The provincial government has allocated Rs330 million for Rawalpindi Institute of Urology, Rs93.45 million for the purchase of new machinery for the district headquarters hospital Rawalpindi, Rs930 for DHQ Emergency Modern Treasury Centre, Rs80 million for purchasing an IUTC scan machine, Rs500 million for the construction of Rawalpindi Medical University Hostel, Rs300 million for treatment of kidneys and liver in Benazir Bhutto and Holy Family Hospitals, Rs500 million for the construction of Pothohar Town Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Rs62 million for Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Kahuta, Rs5.1 million for an emergency, Rs4 billion for the construction of a 100-bed mother and child hospital in Murree, Rs 2.17 million for the up-gradation of Liaquat Bagh sports complex, Rs6.6 million for tehsil sports complex in Murree, Rs3.92 million for sports complex Chakwal and Rs2.1 million for Gujjar Khan rural health centre.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2022.