Graveyards revamp project launched

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation has initiated a project worth Rs74,000 to clean the city’s 78 graveyards, which had become overgrown with thick undergrowth, resembling dense forests.

The project includes clearing pavements, fixing lighting, and arranging for proper drainage. Due to the abundance of wild herbs and self-growing grass and trees, some graveyards had turned into dense forests. After weeding and cleaning, the graveyards will be sprayed with herbicide three times to prevent the regrowth of weeds. The project is expected to be completed within the next 15 days.

According to Municipal Corporation’s Chief Officer Imran Ali, a comprehensive cleaning plan was prepared after a survey and presented to the commissioner. The plan includes pruning, restoring paved roads leading to the graves, and making the lighting system fully functional.

The weeding, tree cutting and road cleaning work is being carried out in 78 large and small graveyards located in 46 union councils, including Rata Amaral, Pirwudhai, Dhok Khaba, Dhok Elahi Bakhsh, Sadiqabad, Rawal Road, among others.

The official mentioned that his year’s contract for cleaning, pruning and spraying was awarded at a rate 25% lower than last year despite the increase in the number of graveyards within the municipal corporation’s limits. The Rs97,000 contract was awarded for Rs74,000. Technical bids were also requested from individuals and companies involved in the tender process, and the contract was awarded to the company that met the merit.

The payment to the contractor will be made after the third-party validation.