RAWALPINDI: Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has started beautification drive under which the main squares on the important arteries of the garrison city would be given a new look. In the first phase, the PHA installed a steel sculpture at Marrir Chowk where it would plant flowers and illuminate it to give a new look. This sculpture called Shaar has been sponsored by some traders.

PHA Director General Ahmed Hassan Ranjha told Dawn that sculptures, flowers and plants would be placed at the entrance of the city areas under the beautification drive while the main squares would be illuminated during the evening time.

He said lights would also be installed in the underpass and at open spaces of the elevated Metro Bus track.

“In the second phase, we will start improving Double Road which had been ignored in the past. All the greenbelts along the main roads of the garrison city would be improved too,” he added.

Mr Ranjha said the PHA had started a survey of the city’s downtown areas in order to give it a green look by placing flower pots and planting trees.

He said the Parks and Horticulture Authority would benefit from the tree planatation drive and set a target for officials to make the city green in the coming days, adding that the Punjab government had asked the relevant authorities to make arrangements for tree plantation in Murree and its adjoining areas.

He said the Mall would be given a new look in the coming days as the PHA had started work on planting flowers. Additionally, he said there were plans to transform Murree Road and Rashid Minhas Road in Rawalpindi into attractive and exemplary model roads.

The director general said the PHA had developed a vast nursery in Gorakhpur where its gardeners had cultivated various fruits, shade trees and floral plants, which would be planted in various parts of the city.

He said there was a plan to whitewash the Metro Bus track pillars and install LCD and fancy lights on them as well as open spaces along the metro stations.

He said the PHA officialshad been directed to complete the ongoing renovation and beautification work of all parks within the shortest possible time.

He said efforts were also being made to repair faulty lights, swings and walking tracks and improve security of parks.

“People will see a new city in the coming days,” he added.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2024