PHOTO: EXPRESS
Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has announced the construction of Bab-e-Peshawar flyover will be completed within 120 days.
The deadline for the mega project was announced during the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday. The event was attended by the chief minister, Minister for Local Government Inayatullah Khan and other government officials.
The two-level flyover project will be constructed on Hayatabad-Jamrud Road at the cost of Rs1.77 billion. “The provincial government has signed an agreement with National Logistics Cell (NLC), a construction company,” Khattak said. “Under the agreement, the project must be completed within four months.”
He said the provincial government will assign more projects to the state-owned company if it manages to deliver on time.
“The provincial government believes in transparency and that is why we have given the contract to NLC,” read a handout issued by the information directorate the same day.
Securing border areas
During the ceremony, Khattak vowed to guarantee security measures to ensure Hayatabad becomes a safe part of the city.
He ordered the local government minister to install CCTV cameras and provide phase-wise security to residents of Hayatabad over the next six months. “Action will be taken against relevant departments if security is not guaranteed in Hayatabad within six months,” he said.
Moreover, the chief minister urged relevant authorities to install street lights and security cameras in Hayatabad to restore the beauty of township.
Speaking on the occasion, the local government minister, who is affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami, a coalition partner of the government, said they would restore Peshawar’s image as the “city of flowers”.
“For the first time in the history of the city, we have introduced a mechanical sweeping system,” he said. “The culture and history of the city will be [preserved].” The minister added a flyover on Charsadda Road would also be completed soon.
Big plans, big bucks
Khattak said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government has decided to prioritise the Peshawar Uplift Programme (PUP) which was introduced by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government.
“Peshawar is our home and we will not compromise the beautification of the provincial capital,” he said.
“The flyover would reduce traffic jams in the area.” The chief minister pledged to complete construction of link roads and begin an air-conditioned bus service in the city after work on the flyover is completed.
He added Rs6 billion has been allocated for PUP under which the city’s routes will be extended, including GT Road. Furthermore, he claimed the PTI-led government will launch more anti-encroachment drives across the province and take action against the illegal occupation of property.
According to the information directorate’s handout, the chief minister said Rs34 billion was being spent on the beautification of the city to restore the city’s lost glory.
Transfer of power
Khattak criticised opposition parties for deceiving the people of the province. “Leaders of the opposition parties have failed to mobilise support in their favour,” he added.
According to the chief minister, the Punjab and Sindh governments have failed to devolve power to the grass-roots level.
“Only the K-P government has allocated a sizeable portion of the Annual Development Fund to the local government,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2015.
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