Punjab

RDA seeks Rs118b for ongoing uplift schemes

Projects include signal-free corridors and underpasses

Jamil Mirza May 28, 2023

Underpasses in Sectors G-7, F7 to be built as soon as planning is complete. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has prepared an annual development program (ADP) of Rs121.7 billion for the upcoming financial year.

An amount of Rs.118.64 billion has been allocated in ADP for ongoing development schemes including Kachehri Chowk, Ring Road, Leh Expressway and Flood Channel projects and Rs2.43 billion for new projects including the feasibility study of the signal-free corridor from Coral Chowk via Peshawar Chowk to the Motorway Chowk and for the construction of signal-free underpasses on Murree Road in Liaquat Bagh and Mareer Chowk.

After completing the planning of these projects, the ADP has been sent to the Punjab government for approval of funds.

The feasibility study of the signal-free corridor project from Coral Chowk via Kachehri Chowk and Peshawar Road to Motorway Chowk will be completed at a cost of Rs800 million. The project cost is estimated to be Rs2 billion while underpasses will be constructed at the cost of Rs350 million on Murree Road to make Liaquat Bagh and Murreer Chowk single-free.

The ongoing development schemes have also been included in the ADP under which Rs6.422 billion will be spent on the remodeling and expansion project of Kachehri Chowk. The project was included in the current year's development program, but this year’s funds of Rs1 billion for the project had been surrendered by RDA resulting in the project’s inclusion in the coming year's development programme.

Another Rs2.496 billion has been earmarked for land acquisition for Leh Expressway and Flood Channel Project while the construction cost of the project will be Rs5.9617 billion. Rs95 million will be spent for the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Leh Expressway and Flood Channel project.

For the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, a sum of Rs2.69 billion has been earmarked.

After approval of these projects from the Punjab Planning and Development (P&D) Department and release of funds, work on these projects can be started.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2023.