IJP Road uplift includes computerised traffic signals
Vehicles move slowly on the broken stretch of IJP Road near Faizabad on the confluence of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
Islamabad’s Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Rawalpindi’s Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) have started work on a mega project to beautify and upgrade the IJ Principal (IJP) Road from Faizabad to New Islamabad International Airport.
Several private companies as well as the forest department will be part of the project. The beautification of all the roads on the Rawalpindi side, the green belt service road is the responsibility of PHA while the beautification of the area within the limits of Islamabad is the responsibility of CDA.
Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema is supervising the beautification of roads within Rawalpindi under the patronage of PHA Director General Ahmed Hasan Ranjha.
The project also includes the installation of computerised traffic signals.
The IJP Road connects Islamabad with Rawalpindi and is a major road for heavy transport coming from Punjab, Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It was not meant for heavy traffic rather it was designed as the principal road dividing ‘I’ and ‘J’ sectors like other roads such as 7th Avenue and 9th Avenue. This has resulted in several projects for the uplift and upkeep of the road.
The latest project foresees afforestation as well. Potohar fruit trees will be planted and landscaping is also part of the project. The beautification efforts will include sculptures and paintings of cultural monuments of Potohar and Kohsar regions as well as Punjab.
Plants of European and Middle Eastearn origin will also be planted in the green belt.
The plans include the installation of benches for people to sit. It includes plans to improve lighting and add sculptures that would pique children’s interest. Nesting boxes will be installed to facilitate breeding different species of wild birds.
Small forests based on the Miyawaki method would be planted in the vast vacant areas along the road.
Enclosures will also be constructed along the road that connects the twin cities.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2023.