GUJRAT: The project of ‘Bab-i-Gujrat’ at the main entrance to the city near the Chenab River on the GT Road is facing a delay as it had to be completed within six months but its construction is still going on despite the lapse of nine months.

It’s a public-private partnership project being executed by the district government while the funds are being provided by a businessman.

The initial cost of the project was around Rs15 million with the design approved by the district and divisional administrations. However, sources in district administration said, the cost was brought down to Rs5m through changes made in the design of the gate.

Due to the slow pace of work, the flow of traffic on the entrance to Gujrat city remains disturbed and causes road mishaps. Hundreds of industrial units are located along this side of the GT Road and heavy vehicles face problems.

The locals have urged the authorities to increase pace of work.

Gujranwala commissioner Shumail Ahmed Khawaja had launched the project of constructing doors depicting local culture, trade and industry at the main entry points of six districts of the region, namely Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal and Hafizabad.

Prominent figures from the local business community of the districts were taken on board to fund all the projects.

Three of these projects, including the ones in Wazirabad and Pasrur tehsils, have been completed whereas rest of the projects are either in the pipeline or could not be completed within the stipulated time.

Published in Dawn, October 5th , 2015

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