Lack of funds halts Rawalpindi uplift projects

[Salman]

Lack of funds halts Rawalpindi uplift projects

Rawalpindi : Punjab government has not yet released funds, as announced in the budget 2012-13 for completion of ongoing development projects, therefore work on all projects has been stopped in the Rawalpindi district.

The situation in Cantonment areas is quite bad because roads even in posh localities particularly Harley Street, Range Road, Misriyal Road, Tahli Morri, Al-Mumtaz Colony, Bokra Road, and Qasim Market are in dilapidated condition and the residents are continuously facing difficult situation.A survey conducted by ‘The News’ revealed that majority of roads in Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Asghar Mall, Pirwadhai, Dhoke Mangtal, Adiala Road, Chak Beli Khan, Kallar Syedan, Rawat, Chattha, Taxila, Kahuta, Sagri and several other areas are also in dilapidated condition.
When this scribe contacted District Officer (DO) Roads and Highway Sub-Division, Rawalpindi, Malik Liaquat Ali Khan, he said that Punjab government has released funds to different cities of the province, but not to Rawalpindi district. “Last time, Punjab government released funds in July and we completed work on different projects on time,” he said. He admitted that majority of roads in the city and rural areas were broken and in bad condition due to non-availability of funds. He also said that they don’t have funds even to fill up the ditches on roads.

When ‘The News’ contacted District Officer (DO) Building Naeem Akhtar Baig, he said that they had completed 85 school buildings, but construction work on more than 27 buildings was stopped due to non-availability of funds. Some of contractors continued work but majority did not do so, he added.

When ‘The News’ contacted Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) Assistant Secretary Rana Amanullah Khan, he said that they would start work on roads after monsoon season. He admitted that roads condition even in posh localities was bad.