ISLAMABAD: On directives from Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) has prepared a 100-day plan to bring improvements to the capital that it will start implementing today (Monday).

The plan includes the renovation of 50 parks, a beautification drive, construction and landscaping of various roundabouts, carpeting of roads in all sectors and the plantation of 300,000 trees.

The MCI will also clean all 15 nullahs and set up waste containers in markets, as well as improve markets in F-7 and F-10.

100-day plan includes carpeting of roads and possible replacement of water lines and streetlights

According to documents, the MCI also plans to replace rusting water lines and switch streetlights to LED lighting. These two projects, however, will be subject to the availability of funding.

Chief Metropolitan Officer Syed Najaf Iqbal told Dawn that the organisation is all set to start working on its 100-day plan on Monday. Most of the campaign’s targets will be achieved, he said, but the replacement of streetlights and water lines are subject to funding.

The MCI is optimistic that it will receive funding from the government for these two projects, he said. The rest will be carried out with the corporation’s own resources and with the help of the private sector under corporate social responsibility.

Mr Iqbal said that in addition to these projects, the MCI will also make the effort to begin other projects, which has been reflected in the 2018-19 Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

These include improving the zoo, installing a sewage treatment plant in the Rawal Dam catchment area, and the Islamabad sewerage system and bus service projects.

“The funding for these projects is already approved in the PSDP; we will make an effort to get the maximum released in the coming days so that these projects can also be completed during our 100-day programme,” he said.

He added: “There will be visible change in Islamabad after 100 days. We are fully committed to implementing the prime minister’s vision.”

MCI officials Dawn spoke to added that a 24-hour complaint redressal system for cleanliness will be set up, and old and outdated trolleys and skips to lift garbage will be replaced with new ones. Kashmir Highway, Faisal Avenue, Jinnah Avenue, D-Chowk and the I-8 and I-9 interchanges will be landscaped and beautified.

The officials said the water supply portion of the plan includes the automation of I-10, the replacement of old lines to stop leaks, the replacement and repair of existing tubewells and the automation of tubewells, and water tanker repairs.

Streetlights

Documents show that the MCI plans to replace streetlights with LED lighting at a cost of Rs500 million, in order to save Rs500m in energy charges and conserve 5MW of energy.

Mr Iqbal told Dawn there are 36,000 streetlights in the capital, and most of them are out-of-order. The Capital Development Authority has been paying the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) a flat rate of Rs900m a year while most of the lights on the ground are not working, he said.

“During the 100-day plan, we want to replace all the streetlights. We are asking the CDA that instead of paying Rs90m to Iesco annually, help the MCI shift all these lights to LED with a budget of Rs500m. This step will save a lot of money and energy as well,” he said, adding that the issue will also be taken up with the federal government.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2018