Another flyover project ‘to be taken up in Rawalpindi’

[Salman]

Another flyover project ‘to be taken up in Rawalpindi’

Another flyover project from Taili Mohallah to Naz Cinema is on the cards, as Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has issued directions to the city district government in this regard.

Well-placed sources told ‘The News’ here on Monday that the Punjab chief minister has directed the city district administration to prepare a feasibility report on another flyover on Benazir Bhutto Road from Taili Mohallah to Naz Cinema, falling in the NA-55 constituency.

According to sources, the proposals of new flyover in Rawalpindi was forwarded by MNA Shakil Awan and MPAs of Rawalpindi belonging to NA-55 constituency in a recent meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif. During discussion on Rawalpindi development projects, Shakil Awan and MPA Sheharyar Riaz drew attention of the chief minister towards traffic suspensions mainly from Benazir Bhutto Hospital to Mareer Chowk. The construction of a flyover from Chandni Chowk to Sixth Road would not fully resolve traffic problems at Benazir Bhutto Road, particularly from Benazir Bhutto Hospital to Mareer Chowk, as traffic remains suspended for most part of the day, especially during busy hours.

While informing the CM about the traffic mess, the parliamentarians proposed construction of another flyover at Benazir Bhutto Road. The chief minister, while expressing his consent, directed the city district administration to prepare a feasibility report on the new project of flyover starting from Taili Mohallah to old Naz Cinema. The executing body — Rawalpindi Development Authority — on directions of the city district government has completed survey work on the scheme. While work on the feasibility study is under process, which would be submitted to the Punjab chief minister for approval.

MNA Malik Shakil Awan and MPA Sheharyar Riaz confirmed the report while expressing their views. The leaders said that they felt the need of a flyover in their constituency for permanent solution of traffic problems on Benazir Bhutto Road. The project would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs2 billion and funds would be allocated by the Punjab government.

Besides two flyovers, tunnel work would also be initiated during the current year, which is also meant for solution of traffic problems.

Shakil Awan, while confirming the report, said that all traffic projects, including tunnel construction at Mareer Chowk and an additional flyover at Benazir Bhutto Road would be inaugurated by the Punjab chief minister, which would be completed in three to four months on condition of availability of funds. Funds for both projects would be allocated in the next budget under the Annual Development Plan for the year 2012-2013. By the end of current year, the Rawalpindi city would give a new look in terms of development and beautification. The solution of traffic problems at Benazir Bhutto Road was in the agenda of the present Punjab government, which is being enforced practically.

However, Commissioner Rawalpindi Zahid Saeed, when contacted, expressed his surprise over the project plan. He said there is no possibility of building a flyover from Taili Mohallah to old Naz Cinema site because the road is very congested and narrow there. If we start implementation of a new flyover from Taili Mohallah to Naz Cinema, there would be no space left on two sides of Benazir Bhutto Road for vehicles to pass through. The shops and offices located over there have to be demolished and compensation to be paid to the affected people if the project has to be really implemented.

Continuing, the commissioner cleared that some six months back MNA Shakil Awan had proposed that a flyover should be constructed from Taili Mohallah to Sixth Road. “However, I cleared the overall position to the chief minister regarding problems that would occur during work on the flyover. Since then, the chief minister did not issue any directives to the city district administration for preparing a feasibility report on the new flyover. It is not possible,” Zahid Saeed clearly stated.