LEH Expressway Project Proposal Forwarded to PPP by RDA

Rawalpindi: In the 57th meeting of the governing body of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) held here on Monday with RDA Chairman Tariq Mehmood Murtaza and Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah in the chair, a detailed briefing regarding Leh Expressway and Flood Channel revealed that the width of the Leh Expressway has been reduced due to which the land acquisition has now been significantly reduced. It was also informed that the proposal of the Leh Expressway Project Rawalpindi was being sent to the public-private partnership board for approval and after the approval, the same would be tendered.

It was also disclosed in the meeting that the Nespak would carry out the implementation of the project. It was clarified that the land area has been cut down from 35-50 meters to 25-35 meters that would not only reduce the cost of the project but also save the precious property of the public. The reduction in the width of the Flood channel would also reduce the land acquisition from 1289 Kanal to 700 Kanal. The experts had shown concern over the reduction of the width of the project, however, the engineers of the project have decided to increase the depth of the nullah from 8 feet to 11 feet to make up for the reduced width. The pc1 worth 25b for land acquisition has been sent to CDWP. The Punjab Planning and Development Board has already approved the proposal and the work on land acquisition will start as soon as the Pc1 is cleared by the CDWP, the sources in RDA told.

 The members of the RDA governing body include retired Major Mohammad Latasib Satti (MPA PP-6), Ms. Nasreen Tariq (MPA W301), Haji Amjad Mahmood Chaudhry (MPA PP-13), Muqarrib Ali Khan, and officers of the concerned departments. While speaking about the project,  The federal minister for interior Sheikh Rasheed told that the project would change the fate of the people living in the twin cities. He said that it would not only reduce the burden of traffic on the city but also save the masses from floods in the rainy season besides creating job opportunities and enhancing the value of public and private property alongside the Nullah. He also added that the completion of the project would also help in cleaning the environment of the twin cities. He concluded that he had to work for 16 years for the realization of the project.