Leh Expressway cost continues to balloon

RDA seeks nearly Rs45b for long-stalled project

ISLAMABAD:

 

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has sought Rs45 billion from the budget of the upcoming fiscal year’s annual development programme for a project that has failed to take off despite the passage of 15 years: the Nullah Leh Expressway.
The project was first proposed in 2007 when Pervaiz Elahi was the chief minister, with construction inaugurated by the president at that time, General Pervez Musharraf.
The estimated cost was Rs17 billion at that time but that has increased manifold since. The project was put on hold in 2008 when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government came to power.
The RDA, in its latest request for funds, said the expressway and the ring road project were a necessity to mitigate floods and sustain traffic flow in Rawalpindi. For the expressway, it has sought almost Rs25 billion for the acquisition of land for the Leh Expressway and Flood Channel project.
Another Rs20 billion has been requested for the civil works on the project, with Rs30 million sought to set up a project management unit.
This project was originally named after politician Sheikh Rasheed, but it was later changed to Leh Expressway.
A previous plan, with a total estimated cost of Rs20billion, had been suggested by a former commissioner to finish the expressway and enlarge the rainwater drain by five feet.
The government had rejected the idea as unviable.
The RDA has also suggested resumption of the Ring Road project that has been put off for 18 years to address the traffic issues. The latest attempt envisions completing the project through a joint venture with a Turkish company.
It would be 38.3 km long with the cost estimated to be Rs33 billion. The cost of purchasing the land would be Rs6 billion.
They have requested Rs1 billion in the first phase of the budget of the new financial year to start the project, with construction to start at vacated government locations through these funds.