PM inaugurates Rawal Chowk flyover

Shehbaz directs CDA to complete work on the intracity public transport project in one month

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday inaugurated the Rawal Chowk flyover.

The project consisting of a flyover and two underpasses and costing over Rs1 billion was completed ahead of the stipulated time.

The one-kilometre track is expected to overcome traffic congestion during peak hours.

The prime minister said that it was appreciable that the work on the flyover was expedited. “I hope we should work in the same manner in the country,” the prime minister said while addressing a ceremony.

Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Amir Ahmed Ali briefed the premier about salient features of the project. He also briefed the premier on the ongoing developments under way in the federal capital.

The CDA chairman said that the old track was initially built for 20,000 vehicles but with time, the flow of motors increased to over 100,000, causing difficulties for commuters and motorists.

He said that the CDA in collaboration with Frontier Works Organisation completed the project in 90 to 100 days despite inclement weather and rains. He said that work on the underpasses will be completed in 20 to 25 days.

The flyover will cater to traffic coming from and to Chak Shehzad, Serena Chowk and Faizabad.

“If Amir had changed himself earlier, the project would have been completed earlier and the city would have been different. But it’s never too late,” Shehbaz said while referring to the CDA chief. The premier called for changing the “fate” of the capital city.

PM Shehbaz said that “we will change the destiny of Pakistan and bring it back to its lost position, together we will change the destiny of the nation”.

On the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan, he vowed to transform Pakistan into an ‘economic power’.

“If we can become a nuclear power, we can also become an economic power but for that "we have to strive day and night and prove to the world that we are no less than anyone in the world,” the prime minister said.

As many as 20 buses have been added to the Islamabad metro bus fleet, bringing the total buses to 50, the CDA chairman said. He said that three new mass transit services would be launched from Khana Pul to Nilore, Taramdi Chowk to Aabpara via Park Road and from Wah Cantonment to N-5 metro station.

“We are trying to complete the intra-bus service in two months,” the CDA chairman said.

PM Shehbaz directed the CDA chairman to complete the intracity public transport project within a month. The premier also directed the CDA chairman to complete the remaining projects before the stipulated time.

The premier also sought a presentation from the CDA chairman on the Bhara Kahu underpass and sought a commitment that the project should be completed in four months instead of the stipulated time of eight months to one year.

“You have to give us a presentation as to how soon you can complete it,” PM Shehbaz said while asking the CDA chief. He said that according to his experience, the underpass project should be completed in four months. The primer also offered Tamgha-e-Imtiaz if he could complete the underpass project in four months.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2022.