RAWALPINDI, March 25: The famous Liaqat Bagh and its adjacent parks, in the heart of the city, have been gradually regaining their glorious past as their renovation work is nearing completion.

Despite shortage of funds, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has been carrying out the development work by soliciting funds from donors and says over 80 per cent work has already been completed.

The whole garden had practically been ruined during the construction of the nearby Committee Chowk underpass as the contractors had dumped all the debris there.

An RDA official said, the contractors had an agreement with Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) that as soon as the work on the underpass was over, they would restore and repair the damage caused to the garden at their own cost. However, the official maintained, despite vigorous efforts by the RDA, the contractors were not honouring their commitment.

He said that despite this the RDA had re-established the garden with the help of some donors, who had given funds to restore the park. He said some donors had provided funds for laying the grass, some for planting saplings and repairing the lightening of the garden, while others gave funds for the benches, the gate and the jogging tracks.

The official said that construction of a stage was underway and was expected to be completed soon. Similarly, much of the work on the plantation of the garden had also been done. He said, work on the adjacent children’s and women’s parks would also be completed soon and the boundary walls had already been erected. He said, the RDA had raised the issue of lack of funds with the Punjab government and hoped the government would allocate some funds for the project.

The renovation work included restoration of the garden, construction of a gate, a stage, a mosque, a children’s playground, women’s park, a duck pond, an aviary, sprinkling system and fountains, in addition to tennis, volleyball and badminton courts.—APP