RAWALPINDI: The divisional administration has claimed to have revised PC-I of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project and sent it to the Punjab government for approval.

According to the PC-I, old alignment of the road from Rawat to Thalian measuring 38 kilometer has been restored.

In a statement issued late on Tuesday night divisional administration spokesperson said the PC-I would likely be approved. She said the ring road would start from G.T. Road in Rawat to Thalian near motorway.

On the other hand, a senior official of the district administration, requesting not to be named, questioned how the government could start the project in the coming fiscal year when it had not included it in its annual development programme for 2021-22.

Proposal sent to Punjab govt for approval

He also questioned how the PC-I could be revised without the involvement of any consultant.

When the spokesperson of divisional administration’s attention was drawn to this issue she did not have any clear answer.

The official of the district administration said if the government wanted to construct the road on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, the PC-I would be approved by Public Private Partnership Authority headed by the Punjab Chief Minister.

He said if the road was constructed on government funds, the PC-I would be sent to the Planning and Development for approval.

He said the government was investigating changes in the road alignment made by previous consultant. Till the completion of the inquiry, it would be difficult for the government to attract private investors.

The work on the project was stopped in April when Prime Minister Imran Khan took notice of the alleged changes made in realignment of the much-needed Rawalpindi Ring Road project.

These changes not only increased the cost of the project by Rs25 billion but also benefited some private housing societies.

Former commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood and some ministers were named in the scandal and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Zulfikar Bukhari resigned over the controversy.

However, the Punjab government has recently announced its decision to start the project and asked Lahore Ring Road Authority and Rawalpindi Development Authority to re-design the route.

Commissioner Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah was not available to comment despite repeated attempts.

When contacted, the divisional administration spokesperson Irfa Tahir said that the PC-I had been sent to Lahore for final approval and after the approval of the project, the government would allocate funds.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2021