RAWALPINDI: The divisional administration will end water shortage, traffic rush on roads and pollution besides beautifying the city by planting trees in the next few months.

Setting out his plan for the the fiscal year 2019-20, Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood said four mega projects will be launched - Ring Road, Leh Expressway, Daducha Dam and Green Rawalpindi.

Talking to Dawn, he said the government wanted to start development works in Rawalpindi.

“Daducha Dam project will provide the facility of clean drinking water to more than one million people in the city.

“Work on PC-I of Daducha Dam is in progress and the small dams organisation has been asked to complete PC-I and land acquisition by end of March,” he said.

He said laying down the water supply system from Chahan Dam was also launched but it will provide water to just three union councils while Daducha Dam will provide water to 46 union councils.

He added that surface water is the only option for the administration as water extracted through tubewells are not enough to meet the 40 million gallon daily (MGD) water requirement of the citizens.

Tree plantation

The commissioner has decided to plant more than 100,000 trees within the city and a plan has been chalked to plant six feet saplings around main roads and streets especially Murree Road, Airport Road and all the areas in and around Raja Bazaar.

“We have made a plan to develop greenbelts along all footpaths and plant grown up trees. The plantation will be launched in the spring season and will be visible within two to three months,” he said.

Leh Expressway

Mr Mehmood said that the feasibility study is expected to complete by the end of March next year so that work can be launched on the project.

A mono-train service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad will also be launched after the feasibility study is completed, he added.

“The expressway and train service will be the best alternative for people who travel daily between Rawalpindi and Islamabad,” he said.

A sewage treatment plant is also linked with Leh Expressway project.

He said Punjab government had also directed to start work on the re-designing of Ammar Chowk which will be linked with Leh Expressway.

District Courts Square will also be redesigned and an underpass and a flyover will be constructed, he added.

Ring Road

“Concerned authorities have been asked to establish a project management unit to speed up work.

An initial plan of the project has been made and it will be finalised in March,” said Mr Mehmood.

He said all departmental heads had been asked to make presentation on the projects on a weekly basis.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2019