Faisalabad plans Bhagat Singh monument, canal-side walking tracks

Heritage monument, recreational facilities part of city beautification drive

FAISALABAD:

The district administration plans to erect a monument to Bhagat Singh, described by Deputy Commissioner Nouman Siddique as a common freedom fighter of the pre- and post-Partition era, as part of a broader initiative to beautify Faisalabad and preserve its historical heritage.

The administration also plans to develop walking tracks along both sides of the Rakh Branch Canal to encourage residents to adopt walking as a regular physical activity while providing them with access to open spaces and fresh air.

Speaking to media persons about ongoing development schemes and the city's beautification drive, the deputy commissioner said walking tracks would also be developed in Jaranwala, while a similar facility already existed in Samundri.

He said the administration, through union councils, was also working to develop eight parks at locations where canals and suitable land were available. The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) had identified parks in poor condition, which were being prioritised for maintenance.

The DC said another local park was being restored with the assistance of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and the Planning and Development Department. He said the site would be cleared after September 30, following which restoration work would begin.

He said ongoing projects in Jhang Bazaar and Aminpur Bazaar were expected to be completed by the end of November, while five parking plazas were expected to be completed within seven to eight months.

Regarding the proposed parking plaza at Chiniot Bazaar, the DC said the project had remained pending since 2015 and its file had recently been initiated at the district level.

He said efforts were under way to resolve objections raised at the Lahore office so that the project could be approved.

Once approved, he said, the project could take another one-and-a-half to two years to complete. The administration had also sought additional funding, but was exploring a public-private partnership model to avoid placing the financial burden on the government.