CM to inaugurate work on Friday

[Salman]

Rawalpindi : Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif would lay the foundation-stone of the project to expand Mareer Railway Bridge on Friday (November 16). The project would cost approximately Rs500 million.

Credible sources said that arrangements for the chief minister’s visit are being finalized, including security arrangements.

During his visit to Rawalpindi city, before laying the foundation-stone of the bridge expansion project, the chief minister would distribute laptops among brilliant students at the Pir Mehr Ali Shah-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi. The fresh distribution of laptops among students, who secured 75% or more marks in their university examinations, is in addition to that already distributed three months back.

The construction work on the Railway Bridge expansion project has already been started by the executing body, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), which has awarded the contract to the NLC. The project would be completed by the end of January next year.

According to sources, previously the completion date of the project was March 30, 2013. However, the executing body had extended its date till June 30 due to non-release of funds. But now the Punjab chief minister had directed for early completion of work on the project and that too within two months, from the time construction work starts.

MNA Malik Shakil Awan has, however, stated that the project would be completed by March 15 next year.

The electricity poles and power feeders have been removed and shifted. The earthwork has also been completed and the Pakistan Railways has also done its work of changing the main rail tracks from the Railway Bridge. One side of the bridge would be demolished on Thursday (November 15). During construction work, the traffic moving from Liaquat Bagh to Saddar and Kutchery would be diverted to the other side of Benazir Bhutto Road till the completion of work on one side. Traffic hurdles would certainly occur during work on the project. However, with its completion traffic load on Benazir Bhutto Road would be reduced by 50%. Diversion routes would also be made and the road from Mareer Chowk to Moti Mahal Chowk would also be widened by 30 feet besides the Railway Bridge. At present, two tunnels exist under the Railway Bridge. But after its expansion, two additional tunnels would be constructed, which would ease the flow of traffic.

The RDA spokesman confirmed the report that work on the bridge expansion would be kicked off from one side of Mareer Chowk. The work on the project would be completed in specified time as per directions of the Punjab chief minister. Funds for the project have also been released, he stated.