Minister reviews progress of ongoing projects in Pindi

Rawalpindi:A total of 314 schemes worth 200404.922 million were included under the annual development programme (2023-24) including 227 ongoing and 87 new schemes, in Rawalpindi district, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Aamir Khattak told Provincial Minister of Construction and Communications Malik Sohaib Ahmed during a briefing here on Tuesday.

He said that 28 schemes have been completed while work on the rest is in progress. He said that 87 per cent funds from released amount have been utilised. The overall physical progress of the Rawalpindi Ring Road, a mega project to reshape Rawalpindi, is 30 per cent, he said. He also said that target to complete the revamping of Holy Family Hospital by 20 May 2024. Liaquat Bagh Library has been upgraded to e-library, Commissioner briefed.

The commissioner said that 78 feeder bus service is being started in the city to get full utilisation of metro bus. The feeder bus will cover 80% of the city and will transport passengers from across the city to metro stations, he said. Review meeting of road sectors and development schemes of Rawalpindi district under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister of Construction and Communication held here in Commissioner Office. The meeting was held at the Commissioner's Office Rawalpindi with the participation of local parliamentarians and heads of relevant government institutions

The means of transportation and road network play a very important role in maintaining the economic system of any country, the minister said. He said that first priority is to complete main roads in the first phase and link roads in the second phase. The public representatives should complete the schemes in their respective constituencies in which the work has been completed on a priority basis. WASA filtration plants and tube wells where water source is available should be activated, he directed.

Keeping in view the vision of the Chief Minister of Punjab for a greener Punjab, it should be ensured that one per cent of the project allocation should be spent on plantations, keeping in mind the environmental pollution in all the schemes. For the elimination of encroachment from the city, a systematic plan should be prepared and its implementation should be ensured. He also said that public representatives should be taken on board during the development of all development schemes. The commissioner requested the members of the Provincial Assembly to provide temporary transfer stations to ensure cleanliness in their respective constituencies.