ISLAMABAD: The city managers on Tuesday approved a number of new development schemes worth billions of rupees for the uplift of the urban and rural areas in the federal capital.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) in its Development Working Party (DWP) meeting chaired by chairman Noorul Amin Mengal approved these development schemes.

A source said that the meeting approved PC-I of a scheme worth Rs10.5 billion for development work in the rural area. In past, the CDA used to do development work mainly in urban areas, but this time, it has extended the scope of uplift projects to rural areas.

This project will be completed in two years. The PC-I of the project said existing roads, water supply system, and street pavement and sanitation system are in a dilapidated condition and required immediate repair, read the PC-I.

Rs10 billion to be spent on development of rural area

It may be noted that the CDA has already been carrying out projects worth over Rs50 billion.

The civic agency also approved the Chatta Bakhtawar Housing Scheme worth Rs2,120 million. Meanwhile, the CDA approved another project at the border of Islamabad, worth Rs 1,424 million for the construction of a two-lane flyover at Rawat T-Chowk from N-5 Gujar Khan side to the Islamabad Highway.

“CDA is already constructing additional lanes of Islamabad Highway and rehabilitating the existing lanes. All the intersections of the highway are being improved except the Rawat T-Chowk intersection; therefore, the CDA has been directed to undertake the Construction of a 2-Lane Flyover at Rawat T-Chowk from N-5 to Islamabad Highway along with approaches,” the PC-I said, adding that this project will be completed in nine months.

The civic agency also approved a revised PC-I for the Islamabad bus service project costing at least Rs9,614 million whereas another project worth Rs 2,573m was approved to purchase new machinery for the sanitation directorate. A PC-I worth Rs142 million has also been approved for a link road between Garden Avenue and Murree Road through the Margalla underpass.

Sources said that the civic agency could face a setback while constructing this road as it crosses through Shakarparian where construction is not allowed. In the past, the Supreme Court had halted the construction of the cricket stadium in the same area.

An official of the CDA said there was an existing road that could be widened with some changes in its alignment. He said that work will be started after the approval of the environmental body. However, the civic agency could face a strong backlash once the project kicks off.

Another PC-I worth Rs4,109 million has also been approved for the expansion of Srinagar Highway from 7th Avenue to Serena Chowk with the construction of an underpass as well.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2023