Pindi to get facelift ahead of SCO summit

RAWALPINDI:

In preparation for the upcoming two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation conference scheduled for October 15 and 16 in Islamabad, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has expedited a project to beautify the VIP routes for Rs31.3 million.

The project witnessed an increase in the initial allocation of Rs3.7 million.

The RDA has opted to award the contract through a single tender, a move that diverges from standard practices of open competition typically facilitated by e-tendering. Only one company, Tech Construction, has been incorporated for this contract. The single tender is set to be opened on September 29, after which the contract will be awarded.

Officials from the RDA stated that the decision to proceed with a single tender and the substantial increase in the project's budget is driven by time constraints and the significance of the conference. They emphasised that enhancing the project's scope was deemed necessary to ensure the timely completion of road carpeting and beautification within the old airport limits, facilitating a suitable passage for foreign delegations.

The competent authority has approved the contract's award under the single tender process, which aligns with the urgent requirement to prepare the route for VIP movement ahead of this important national event.