CDA to expedite construction work on Margalla Avenue

[Salman]

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will expedite construction work on Margalla Avenue and hurdles in this regard will be removed for early completion of the avenue.
According to CDA spokesperson, the workable plan would be chalked out so that it could be linked to some major avenues after passing through Sector D-12.
He told APP that the Chairman of Capital Development Authority (CDA), Syed Tahir Shahbaz, had directed the Engineering Wing to expedite the pace of construction work on the Avenue in line with international standards by utilising all available resources so that the commuters could enjoy the facility.
Chairman CDA said that Margalla Avenue would not only provide an easy access to the commuters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) but also reduce the traffic burden on Kashmir Highway while entering the Federal Capital.
Margalla Avenue Project was initiated to facilitate the traffic from GT Road at the cost of Rs 588 million, member Engineering, Sanaullah Aman said.
He said that Margalla Avenue was 9 kilometers long with culverts, adding that the avenue would consist of 2 lanes of 12 feet width on each side and an overhead bridge would also be constructed on railway lane.
Chairman CDA issued directives to the concerned authority to accelerate the pace of development work on Margalla Avenue so that it could be completed within stipulated time.
Sale of substandard beverages on the rise in twin cities: The sale of unchecked substandard beverages and cold drinks are on the rise at different bus stops and public places of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi which is becoming a source of health hazards for the public.
With the eve of summer, unhygienic drinks with different names are being sold in twin cities.
The drinks include different kinds of juices, including apricot, mango and lemon juice. Many vendors are also selling juices of stale oranges at low prices, especially near the bus and wagon stands.
Drinks are prepared from different chemicals, which on one hand quench the thirst but on the other hand jeopardises ones health. There are no proper arrangements for washing glass and the roadside stalls are often covered with dusty containers.
Moreover, drinks are sometimes sold in reused bottles that are not cleaned properly. The vendors’ utensils and bottles can easily transmit different bacteria and viruses to customers.
Dr Qurat ul Ain, a local medical practitioner told APP that these substandard beverages can cause different disease including heart disease, blood pressure and typhoid and disorders the digestive system.
She said that most of the beverages served alongside roads in the open dust and pollution of vehicles makes it dangerous for human consumption. Dr Qurat appealed the authorities concerned to stop these substandard beverages sale in the twin cities and should create awareness among the citizens for the protection of their health