Rawalpindi: RDA working on plan for construction of parking lot

[Naveed Yaseen]

Saeed Ahmed
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has revised the plan regarding construction of a parking lot-cum-shopping centre in Raja Bazaar due to paucity of funds.

Well-placed sources told ‘The News’ here on Friday that the RDA had earlier planned to construct a seven-storey shopping centre and a parking lot in the basement of its building in Raja Bazaar with the purpose of overcoming traffic snarls on roads connecting Liaquat Bagh and Ratta Amral to Raja Bazaar.

The original plan was conceived more than six years ago, which had remained unimplemented so far.

Earlier, the idea of this project was floated by the TMA, Rawal Town, however, RDA objected to it giving the reason that the development work was carried out by it. The project was to be implemented at the site of the old building of Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation along Jinnah Road. Later, it was decided that the site of the project should be changed from Jinnah Road to the Suzuki Pick-up Stand in Raja Bazaar.

The reason behind changing the site of the project was based on a proposal given by the then federal minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, regarding construction of an educational institution. Due to objections raised by the RDA and other hurdles, the project remained in cold storage for a long time. However, with the change in government following the February general elections, RDA Director General Makeen Shahbaz reconsidered the project and got it approved from Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif a couple of months ago. However, the RDA would fund the project instead of the provincial government.

Commenting on the matter of funds, RDA Director General Makeen Shahbaz told ‘The News’ that the work on launching the project is under progress and the RDA has hired consultancy services of Nespak for carrying out a feasibility study and design work. This process would be completed in about one month and then the work on this plan would be launched practically. However, he agreed that alterations have been made in the project. Instead of building a seven-storey shopping and business centre, the RDA has now decided to construct only a parking lot at the site of the Suzuki Pick-up Stand. Moreover, the project would be completed on sponsorship basis. The RDA has approached several private firms and companies for their support in completion of this project. Besides RCCI, 2 to 3 firms have agreed to assist the RDA in this regard, he said. However, he reserved his comments when asked whether the RDA is faced with paucity of funds.

To another question related to the cost of the project, Makeen Shahbaz said “Only after completion of the feasibility study and design work, we would be able to finalise the project cost.” “It would be completed in 6 to 7 months from the time of start of the construction work,” he added.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=145595