ISLAMABAD: The federal government has earmarked funding for several new development schemes of Islamabad.

According to the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) of federal budget for fiscal year 2021-22, Rs1000 million has been earmarked for carrying out work on operationalisation of Metro Bus Service from Peshawar Morr to Islamabad International Airport.

The said project - construction of a 25.6-km long track worth Rs16 billion - was launched by the PML-N government in 2017 and work on it is almost complete. However, the bus service is yet to operate to facilitate citizens.

The National Highways Authority (NHA), which executed the said project a few months ago, handed over the project to Capital Development Authority (CDA) for operation.

According to budgetary documents, the government has also earmarked Rs3154.6m for land acquisition of the project, Conduction of Water from Indus Water System at Terbala Dam. While, Rs35 million has been earmarked for rehabilitation and improvement of fish seed hatchery at Rawal Dam and Rs35million has been earmarked for rehabilitation of link Darbar Golra Sharif Road.

For ongoing projects, the government has earmarked Rs500 million for sanitation and road Projects in Union Council Bokra, Mara Sumbal, Mara Jaffar, Bhandana Kalan, Jhangi Sayyedan, Saria-i-Kharbooza, Tarnol Golra Sharif and Shah Allah Ditta. Similarly, Rs167 million has been earmarked for sewerage sanitation and water supply scheme of ICT. Rs500 million has been earmarked for development work in Ali Pur, Khanaa Dak, Tarlia, Kirpa, Charah, Tumar and so on. Similarly, Rs500 million has been allocated for development work in Sohan, Rawal Town, Chack Shahzad, Saidpur, Noorpur, Malpur, Kot Hatyal North and South, Phulgran, Pind Bhagwal and Kuri areas. Whereas, Rs3000 million has been allocated for 10th Avenue Project.

School projects

Another mega development project has been approved for the Islamabad-based 170 public schools as federal government has earmarked Rs409 million for fiscal year 2021-22 for a development project worth Rs6.9 billion.

The project, Provision of Basic Educational Facilities in Educational Institutions of ICT, envisages improvement in 170 schools, including construction and renovation besides providing missing facilities.

According to budgetary documents, for fiscal year 2021-22, the government has earmarked Rs 409.6 million for the said project of Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, which will be executed by Federal Directorate of Education (FDE).

The FDE is supervisory body of 423 schools and colleges of Islamabad.

In the said project, the FDE will renovate 170 schools which have remained neglected in the past. A solar power system will also be installed in the 170 schools to reduce expenditure on electricity. Besides rehabilitation of the existing infrastructure in 170 institutions and five AEO offices, construction of 507 classrooms, 148 toilet blocks, 14 bathrooms, two visitor rooms, three receptions, 17 servant quarters, 32 guardrooms, 17 staff rooms, 97 staircases, one workshop, 20 canteens, 39 laboratories, 17 libraries, 26 stair covers (mumties), 18 computer labs, five admin blocks, four conference rooms, six bus sheds, two common rooms, three auditoriums, four offices, seven principal offices, 13 clerk rooms and three water tanks is also included in the project.

Earlier, through another project - PM Education Reforms Programme, which started in 2017, 220 schools were renovated. The said project is nearing completion and for upcoming fiscal year 2021-22, the government has allocated Rs463.2 million for remaining work on it.

Meanwhile, the government has allocated Rs106 million for introduction of B.S Education (four year programme) at Federal College of Education H-9, while Rs47 million has been approved for establishment of project planning and development unit and Rs50 million has been allocated for feasibility of a visual arts centre of excellence in Gilgit Baltistan: National College of Arts.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2021