ECNEC Takes Up Approval of Rawalpindi Ring Road and Other Mega Projects
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) is reconsidering two huge projects in Rawalpindi. Leh Expressway and Rawalpindi Ring Road are on the agenda for the coming year and the master plan is being reconsidered.
These two projects have a combined worth of a total PKR 133 billion. These projects have been part of the news many times in the past as well.
ECNEC is taking up the approval of these projects and these projects are likely to start soon. Rawalpindi Ring Project was completely stopped for months after allegations of corruption on concerned authorities.
Punjab Government has already started work on Ring Road Project but the work has been very slow on this project. After the alleged corruption charges, the new route of 38.3 Kms was suggested and the work began on this road.
Since it has been the center of every news after the alleged corruption, Punjab Government will completely fund the project. Previously, it was thought that the project would be funded by the government’s partnership with the private sector.
Leh Nullah has been one of the main concerns of the residents of Rawalpindi especially since the floods of 1992. Leh Nullah Expressway has always been in the pipeline and it was repeatedly offered to the residents of the city, but it was never realized.
Leh Nullah Expressway will be constructed on private-public partnership because the cost of the project is exceeding Punjab Government’s budget. This project will solve the problem of cleanliness of the Leh Nullah and this road will connect major parts of the city.
The first phase PC-I has already been approved by Central Development Working Party (CDWP). It was sent after the approval from Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP), and tenders are likely to open soon.
