2nd proposed master plan for Faisalabad uplift to be scrapped: FDA

FAISALABAD: A decision has been taken to scrap the second proposed master plan, while Faisalabad’s organized development is currently being planned under the peri-urban plan.

However, most of the problems are arising due tolack of implementation of the law, which will require a strategy based on the ground realities to resolve all these problems. This was stated by Muhammad Asif Chaudhry, Director General of Faisalabad Development Authority, while talking to the business community and people from the real estate sector at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI).

He said that the zoning of the city has been carried out under the peri-urban plan and an environmental impact report has been made mandatory for new constructions and housing colonies. He said that under zoning, the brownfield area has been reduced by 30,000 acres, while outline development plans for 125 cities, including Faisalabad, have also been prepared at the provincial level. He said that the general condition of the city’s roads is very poor, but the FDA has planned to make the Sheikhupura Road a state-of-the-art road. He said that a ramp will also be constructed in front of the Faisalabad chamber.

He said that efforts are being made to find a middle way to regularize already established illegal colonies. He said that WASA has received Rs11 billion funding, which will be used to revamp the sewerage.

The director general said that the plan for the metro bus service is completely different from electric buses, while 86 buses have been allocated for Faisalabad, which will operate on six routes.

Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Rehan Naseem Bharara said that the most important problem of this city is the lack of resources, therefore, a District Finance Commission should be established on the lines of the Provincial Finance Commission so that each city can get a share of the revenue in proportion to its population.