 |
| |
WEEKLY
SECTIONS |
 |
|
 |
| 50% funds released for civic bodies to shift services |
|
|
|
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Saeed Ahmed
Rawalpindi
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has released 50 per cent funds to the concerned civic bodies, directing them to complete the work of shifting their services from Bonded Warehouse Scheme in Raja Bazaar within one month so that the work on Parking Plaza-cum-Shopping Complex could be kicked off in the first week of January 2010.
RDA (Lands Development and Estate Management) Director Shuja Ali told ‘The News’ that out of the total amount 50 per cent has been allocated to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) and Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa). An amount of Rs34,97,334 has been released to PTCL, Rs11,10,375 to SNGPL, Rs658,929 to Iesco and Rs30,35,950 to Wasa for shifting of services.
According to Shuja, the project would be completed in two phases. In first phase, a basement for parking and one floor would be completed within three months time at Bonded Warehouse Scheme of RDA in Raja Bazaar, which is now being used as Suzuki and Wagon Stand. The Suzuki and Wagon Stands would be shifted to area near Gordon College on temporary basis. This task would also be completed during work on shifting of the above-mentioned services.
With the completion of first phase of the project, he said there would be space for parking of 500 vehicles in basement and first floor of the parking lot. The second phase include construction of additional four floors for commercial and shopping purposes. Work on second phase would commence shortly after work done on first phase, Shuja added. The total cost of the project is estimated Rs360 million, which could go up in case of further delay in construction work. It is a self-financed project and the Punjab government has nothing to do with the funding on it, cleared the director.
To a question related to announcement of several mega project while no practical work has so far been initiated including Elevated Express, Nullah Leh Flood Control Plan, underpasses, Shuja Ali agreed to this fact. However, he remarked that though the provincial government headed by Punjab Chief Minister is determined and serious enough to launch mega projects, but the main reason behind failure to initiate work on any one of them is paucity of funds. Billions of rupees are required for completing work on Elevated Express, Nullah Leh Flood Control Plan, construction of underpasses and Ring Road.
He said that the RDA had launched the work of evacuating its land from the encroachment mafias and has succeeded to get it vacated in Sherpao Colony. Around 10 kanal land has been evacuated form the encroachment mafia where a Urology unit is being built up, he added.
|
|
|
| Back
| Send
this story to Friend | Print
Version |
|
|
|
ISSN 1563-9479 
