RCCI seeks traders’ input for land requirement
In order to determine the demand for setting up industrial units and the requirement of land for the establishment of an industrial zone in the surrounding area of the much-delayed Rawalpindi Ring Road project, the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has issued a survey form to all members of the business community.
According to sources, a land acquisition strategy will be devised after the determination of the demand while the industrial units from Rawalpindi City, Cantonment and Islamabad will be shifted to the Ring Road Industrial Zone.
After the approval of RCCI’s demand regarding the establishment of an industrial zone on the route of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, Project Director and Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha has issued specific directives to the RCCI, seeking to determine the required land space for the industrial zone according to the requirements of the industrial units. The information is required for finalising the acquisition of land at the ring road for the establishment of the industrial zone.
Talking to The Express Tribune RCCI President Saqib Rafiq said a survey form was issued to all members of the business community to implement the decision to establish an industrial zone alongside the ring road, seeking information as to which industry they want to set up and how much land is needed for the industry. “In light of the business community’s input, the demand of land for the industrial zone will be submitted to the ring road project director,” he said.
The RCCI president said in the first phase of the establishment of the Ring Road Industrial Zone, the industry from the inner city will be moved there, which will significantly reduce the traffic load in the city, after which the industry will be shifted from the Islamabad’s I-9 Industrial Area and Industrial Triangle Kahuta Road, Humak.
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“The industrial zone will be established under the expansion of the existing large industry units. Industry from Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonment areas will also be shifted to the Ring Road Industry Zone,” he explained.
Rafiq said the establishment of the Ring Road Industrial Zone will start a new era of economic development in the neighbourhood, unemployment will end and the transfer of industry from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to the Ring Road Industrial Zone will help these areas in reduction of the traffic pressure as well as the air pollution.
The chamber president added that the pharmaceutical industry, shoes, furniture, gems and jewellery, steel, flour mills and other industries will be shifted and new units will also be set up in the Ring Road Industrial Zone.
On this occasion, the Rawalpindi commissioner said the government was fully committed to the completion of the Ring Road project –a 38.5km route from Rawat to Thalian Motorway Interchange– before the scheduled date.
Chattha said there would be a total of five interchanges at Banth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road and Thalian and a railway bridge will also be constructed with five overpasses and 21 subways on the ring road.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2023.