Rawalpindi unveils plan for modern hospital

Approves relocation of markets, terminals and industries to zones along Ring Road

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has laid plans to build a hospital in Jhanda Chichi area. It also agreed on plans to shift fruit and vegetable bazaars, other markets, transport terminals, educational institutions and industrial units to specific zones along the Ring Road.

A meeting chaired by RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza agreed on the development of a new RDA hospital on Jhanda Chichi Road. Other important decisions were taken regarding the city's urban planning and development strategy were also taken during the meeting.

The move to develop an RDA hospital aims to make modern quality medical facilities accessible to a larger public. The DG said that the establishment of this new hospital would reduce the pressure on the existing medical centres and allow citizens to get timely access to medical facilities.

It was further decided that major markets, including wholesale fruit and vegetable markets, transport terminals, educational institutions and industrial units will be shifted to designated zones along the Ring Road Rawalpindi.

The move aims to reduce traffic pressure, reduce environmental pollution and reduce the growing urban burden on densely populated areas of the city. This shift will promote balanced urban development, better traffic flow and efficient use of land. The DG directed the Engineering Directorate, Metropolitan Planning and Traffic Engineering Directorate, Estate Management Directorate and Land Development Directorate to identify and allot suitable locations for these facilities along the Ring Road corridor.

She added that all transport terminals will be shifted to the initial and end points of the Ring Road on the GT Road and Motorway junctions in order to improve the inter-district and intra-city traffic system.

The DG further said that major educational institutions will be shifted to new, modern and purpose-built campuses where better infrastructure and quality educational environment will be provided. She also assured that specific zones will be established for the health sector, which will include major hospitals, medical stores and diagnostic centres.