Beautification project on the cards

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has chalked out a Rs140 million project for the beautification of city roads, cycle tracks, road crossings, speed limit tracks, elimination of encroachments and traffic discipline.

The project will cover Kacheheri Chowk, Rashid Minhas Road, Murir Hasan, Murir Chowk to Murree Road and Faizabad. The work will be started after the approval of the project.

The proposed project will have zebra crossings for pedestrians at every junction. A ban will be placed on honking in front of schools and colleges. Special poles will be installed in front of shops to demarcate the footpath for pedestrians only.

Cycle tracks will be constructed on the extreme left sides with a regular colour scheme, modern speed breakers will be built to control the speed limit at certain points, and Moti Mahal and Committee Chowk underpasses will be renovated on Murree Road, and lighting arrangements will be made. The height of the vehicles entering the underpasses will be fixed at eight feet and bearers will be installed.

Barriers will be installed to prevent wrong-side entry, spike barrier system and reflectors will be installed, and speed limit tracks will also be installed on Murree Road.

RDA Director General Kanza Murtaza says the project of giving a new look to Rashid Minhas Road, Murer Hasan, Murree Chowk and Murree Road up to Faizabad route via Kachehari Chowk has been prepared after the upgradation and beautification of the VIP route.

The new project won't only improve the traffic flow on Murree Road but also reduce accidents due to violations of traffic discipline, she said, adding footpath encroachment would be eradicated in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation to help citizens walk on both sides of Murree Road.

Murtaza further said that the work on the upgradation and beautification of the Saddar to Faizabad Metrobus corridor and track was also in progress, adding its completion would bring more improvement and beautification to the infrastructure of the Metrobus service.

The traffic problems on Murree Road would be eliminated for which complete planning had been made, the RDA DG said.