Saddar to shed overhead power lines

Project aims to enhance aesthetics and security in city’s oldest commercial hub

RAWALPINDI:

Construction work on the first phase of laying underground cables in Saddar and adjoining areas of the garrison city was kicked off in a ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday.

In the ceremony, Defence Secretary Lt-Gen (retd) Hamooduz Zaman initiated the project worth Rs850 million.

The scheme is set to be completed within nine months and aims to enhance the aesthetics of one of the oldest commercial zones in Rawalpindi by burying electricity and other cables and removing poles.

Cantonment Executive Officer Ali Irfan Rizvi provided insights into the project during a briefing, highlighting its exceptional importance. The first phase, costing Rs850 million, will see Rs760 million allocated by the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) for electrical equipment, while the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) will contribute Rs90 million for civil work.

Rizvi emphasised the significance of commercial areas in any city, stating that Rawalpindi’s Saddar holds a special place. Having successfully executed a similar project in Peshawar, he expressed confidence in beautifying the area and eliminating accidents caused by hanging electric wires.

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The RCB CEO said the board was striving for the welfare of the residents, businessmen and development of the Cantt areas. The project would increase the beauty of the Cantt area, he added. The board was working hard to provide the residents with a better environment. The authorities concerned had been directed to complete the project within the stipulated time frame, the CEO added.

To monitor the progress without disrupting business activities in the bustling markets of Saddar, a committee comprising RCB officials and business representatives has been established. Rizvi assured that efforts would be made to expedite the preparation of concrete ducts, minimising the time required for underground cabling.

According to sources, RCB had completed the tender process for the civil works. Under the phase-I project, underground cabling work on Mall Road (Service Road North), Haider Road, Bank Road, Kashmir Road, Canning Road and Link Roads would be completed. The civil works would be the responsibility of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board and the electrical works would be the responsibility of Iesco.

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The event was attended by Corps Commander Rawalpindi, Lt Gen Shahid Imtiaz, Director General, Military Lands and Cantonments, Major General Irfan Ahmad Malik, Director Rawalpindi Region, Aamir Masood Khan, President and Station Commander Rawalpindi, Brig Ahmad Nawaz, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaquat Ali Chattha, Vice President, RCB, Malik Munir, Executive Officer Rawalpindi Cantt, Syed Ali Irfan Rizvi and other officers were present on the occasion.

In these areas, the incidents of wires breaking from poles, transformers catching fire, power systems being badly affected in rain and wind storms and the power system not being functional again for many hours have become a norm.

Sources said the issues of safety and security have also started arising due to the garrison power supply of the city’s largest commercial being connected to the age-old system of poles.

Given the security issues, it was decided to make the electricity system underground in all these markets for which this most important project was finalised after consultation between the trade organisations and the RCB administration.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2024.