Rawalpindi Ring Road project in doldrums

Saeed Ahmed

Rawalpindi: Like previous two projects of Ring Road, the fate of the third one looks bleak, ‘The News’ has learnt reliably here Saturday.

Sources said that the implementation of the much-trumpeted Ring Road project, which is third of its kind, is impossible because a housing society land comes in the way of the road. The project is to be implemented by Rawalpindi Development Authority from Rawat to IJ Principal Road through a private party.

Previous Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was also keen to start this project but due to hurdles in its way it remained unimplemented. Now this project has been retaken by the new provincial government for its implementation. Unless, the site of the project is cleared off hurdles its fate looks bleak and uncertain. In other case, the RDA has to change the site of Ring Road for its implementation, the sources said.

The first plan of Ring Road was prepared by RDA in 1992 which was shelved due to unknown reasons. After five years, the RDA for the second time tried to implement this project, which was again suspended due to political reasons on the award of contract.

However, in the year 2002 Ch Pervaiz Elahi, who was heading the Punjab government, decided to restart work on the Ring Road. Since then this project has only remained under discussion without any practical work on it, the sources said.

RDA Director General Makeen Shahbaz commenting on the issue said that on the directions of the Punjab chief minister, the concerned staff are working on the feasibility study of the current Ring Road project. The feasibility study includes its alignment.

Discussion over it would be held with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on 23rd of this month in Lahore. Moreover, a sizeable amount worth Rs10 million has been allocated in the budget for the current fiscal year for the third Ring Road.

He also informed that the area coming under a housing scheme has been excluded from the project. After excluding the land, RDA has started work on preparation of its feasibility study, Makeen Shahbaz said.
The News, 20/7/2008