Tuesday, 19 March 2024, 02:34:59 pm

DG, RDA Abdul Sattar Isani
April 02, 2021

DG, Rawalpindi Development Authority Abdul Sattar Isani says new master plan of Rawalpindi is being prepared keeping in view the establishment of nine economic zones under China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

In an exclusive interview with News and Current Affairs Channel of Radio Pakistan today, Abdul Sattar Isani said Rawalpindi Ring Road is the largest project being undertaken by the Authority which will help resolve the burden of traffic on twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. He said tender has been floated for the project which will be completed under public private partnership. The DG said we have acquired all the land required for Rawalpindi Ring Road and so far disbursed one billion rupees as compensation money to landholders of Rawalpindi and Attock. He said the process is being monitored on daily basis.

Giving further details, DG RDA said bids for tenders will be opened next month. He said the 65 km project will be completed in two years’ time. He said after the completion of this road infrastructure, traffic going to Peshawar via GT Road will not need to pass through Islamabad. The newly planned road will reduce the existing traffic burden on Islamabad Expressway.

DG RDA said construction of Ring Road will also provide job opportunities to the local people. He said the bus stands from the city will also be transferred to nearby areas of the Ring Road. He said we have developed consensus with the transporters and convinced them to shift to suburban areas.

Turning to the issue of housing societies falling under the purview of Rawalpindi Development Authority, Abdul Sattar Isani said private sector has an important role in development of housing infrastructure. The private societies are working on different projects to ensure the availability of homes to common man. He, however, said many housing societies have got no approval by RDA or CDA due to not fulfilling requirements of both authorities. These unauthorized societies are still collecting money from general public and action is being taken against them. He advised the potential investors to consult with Rawalpindi Development Authority or visit its website to verify either a society is approved or not before making any investment decision. The DG said he has directed the concerned authorities to expedite the process of issuance of NOC to the societies that fulfill the requirements of RDA. He said the rules of RDA will be amended to accommodate the new requirements and in the meantime bylaws of LDA have been adopted. He said later the building bylaws in entire Punjab will be same.

Referring to the proposed project of Nullah Lai Expressway, Abdul Sattar Isani said land acquisition process has almost been completed and the survey is underway. He said the issue of people living on state land is also being taken into consideration before undertaking work on it.  

Turning to the availability of water to residents of Rawalpindi, Abdul Sattar Isani said at present the people of Rawalpindi are being provided water from Rawal Dam. He said we are also working on a project of construction of two new dams to meet the needs of the people.  

DG RDA said the present government is taking all out measures to facilitate the people through one window operation in construction sector. He said both federal and provincial governments are on the same page as far as these mega projects are concerned.  

 

Credits 

Host:  Muhammad Tariq Chaudhary 

Co-Hosts: Naveed Satti, Javed Hussain, Aliya Qaiser

Producers: Waseem Ahmad, Asadullah Khan 

Executive Producer: Muhammad Tariq Chaudhary