PM for timely completion of uplift projects

Shehbaz Sharif seeks report on development of infrastructure in rural areas

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to ensure the timely completion of development projects in the federal capital besides carrying out the third-party validation of every project.

Chairing a meeting to review development projects in Islamabad, the prime minister formed a review committee to expedite work on uplift projects, particularly for the early completion of public interest projects.

He instructed the authorities concerned to extend the best possible facilities to residents of the federal capital. The prime minister, who was also given a briefing on the development projects in the capital city, was told that Rs10 billion would be spent for the uplift of Islamabad’s rural areas.

The premier directed to ensure round-the-clock work on the development projects and carry out third-party validation of every project. He issued instructions for the early completion of the Bhara Kahu bypass. He also sought a report from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on a blueprint for starting a solid waste management system in Islamabad.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said that work on public transport projects should be expedited and the parking issues in the city should be addressed without any delay.

He also directed the CDA for the early execution of projects meant for overseas Pakistanis by maintaining an international standard. He said the projects for overseas Pakistanis should be made transparent by introducing an online system. He also called for extending maximum facilities to the expatriates to attract investment in the country.

The prime minister said that the overseas Pakistanis were a precious asset for Pakistan and that no laxity in their projects would be tolerated.

The prime minister also sought a report on the uplift and the development of infrastructure in rural areas.

The prime minister was told that Rs10 billion would be spent on the uplift of the rural area of Islamabad by extending solid waste management service and public transport besides rehabilitating roads and the sewerage system.

The meeting was briefed on the ongoing projects including the Bhara Kahu bypass, the 7th Avenue Interchange, Margalla Avenue, 11th Avenue, IJP Road, Islamabad Expressway and a parking plaza.

The meeting was told that round-the-clock work was under way on the Bhara Kahu bypass. The prime minister ordered the project’s early completion and said that no laxity in this regard would be tolerated.

The meeting was told that the 7th Avenue Interchange and the Margalla Avenue had been completed while work on the under-construction IJP Road would be completed by March 23.

The meeting was told that the 11th Avenue and the 1st phase of Islamabad Expressway would be completed by the mid of this year and the parking plaza and 2nd phase of Islamabad Expressway would be completed by this year-end.

The CDA chairman briefed the prime minister about the feeder routes and a bus terminal. It was told that the CDA would build a national terminal of international standard and three satellite terminals in collaboration with the private sector.

The prime minister was told that 13 feeder bus routes would be introduced in Islamabad within 90 days as four feeder routes had already been made functional. The prime minister was also apprised of the steps being taken by the CDA regarding the resolution of the parking issues. The prime minister was told that the Authority was building parking plazas in sectors I-8, G-9, F-10, F-8, and Blue Area. With a capacity of 5,000 cars, these parking plazas would address the parking problems.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2023.