The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has finalised the long-awaited underground cabling and beautification project for two of the city's busiest commercial centres — Fawara Chowk Raja Bazaar and Commercial Market.
According to official sources, the shopping areas will be made pedestrian-only, with all vehicular and motorcycle entry prohibited. IESCO has received payments of Rs180 million for Raja Bazaar and Rs130 million for Commercial Market to begin the underground electrical cabling. PTCL and SNGPL will be paid Rs30 million, while WASA will receive Rs5 million.
The beautification expenses will be covered from the corporation's own budget.
The project, modelled after similar efforts on Bank Road, Kashmir Road, and Haider Road in Saddar, includes the complete relocation of electrical and telecommunication cables underground, along with enhanced aesthetics.
The first phase involves civil work and underground cabling by IESCO and PTCL.
Sui Gas and sewage networks will also be secured underground. Fawara Chowk and Raja Bazaar will feature seating areas, improved lighting, pavements, public washrooms, and food stalls to enhance the shopping experience.
Chief Municipal Officer Imran Ali described the project as "highly significant," adding that it would provide citizens with a cleaner, more pleasant shopping environment. Infrastructure Officer Rafiqat Mahmood Gondal said the project is expected to be completed within three months, with contractors mobilising soon.
Following the completion of a similar project in Saddar's commercial areas and the conversion of Bank Road into a pedestrian-only street, the RMC had approved similar plans for Raja Bazaar and Commercial Market. The utility agencies issued demand notices totalling Rs223.3 million to the RMC. The agencies included the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL).
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ