RAWALPINDI: The fate of the Rawalpindi Ring Road Project is now in the hands of the new Punjab government, but the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has completed its presentation for the new government’s approval.

The last government had engaged the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which had agreed to a loan for the project.

A senior RDA official told Dawn the presentation for the new government has been finalised and if approved, the AIIB loan will be taken, otherwise other options will be sought.

The project had initially been started as a public-private partnership, but was changed by the last government in 2017 which decided to involve AIIB for a loan and then start the project.

The bank had asked the government to acquire land, after which it would give the loan, he said, and Rs4 billion have been allocated for the acquisition of land before work stopped because of the elections.

The official said 11,000 kanals will be acquired for construction of the road, which is 48.5 kilometres long. It will start from Channi Sher Alam, culminate at Palihian, near the Islamabad-Lahore Motroway, and will be connected to the new airport.

When contacted, RDA Director General Rana Akbar said work had begun to deliver the presentation before the new government. Work will start on the previous plan after approval.

He said there are no changes to the project so far, but they could be made if the new provincial government desires. The RDA has also finalised presentations on other development works that were approved by the government before the elections.

Three projects – the Ammar Chowk interchange, the I.J. Principal Road flyover and the Liaquat Bagh flyover – were approved in March. Funding was also allocated, but work was stopped by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

However, a senior RDA official told Dawn that after the PTI government is formed in Punjab, Sheikh Rashid would push the government to revive the Leh Nullah Expressway and the RDA has opened old files on the project in this regard.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2018