RDA changes master plan of old Ring Road project

[Naveed Yaseen]

Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has changed master plan after objections on land acquiring in urban area for Bullay Shah New Mall Road (old Ring Road) project.

The 52-kilometer long and 300 feet wide Bullay Shah New Mall Road will have 13 interchanges and flyovers.

This road will also be linked to Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Rawat, Swan Camp, Chakari Road, Adyala Road, New Islamabad Airport, Kashmir Highway, Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and Behria Town.

The officials of Land Department have started initial work to acquire land in the rural areas while Nespak will hand over feasibility report after its completion in the next month.

According to details, Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif keeping in view the problems being faced by travellers owing to congestion on roads in the city and cantonment areas, has issued directives to the authority to start work on the projects made by the previous government.

The Authority after giving new name to this project had given contract to Nespak for preparation of feasibility report in six months.

The authority also sought proposals and suggestions of elected members of national and provincial assemblies of NA 52, 53, and 54 over the project.

After raising objections by the elected members on land acquiring in urban areas for the project, the Authority brought changes in the master plan of the project and ensured that it has distance from the heavily populated areas.

Staring from Channi Sher Aalam Bridge, the Bullay Shah New Mall road will provide first link to Rawat. This road will be 300 feet wide while width of road linking to Economic Zone will be 800 feet.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=209003