RAWALPINDI: The district revenue department on Tuesday imposed Section 4 of Punjab Land Revenue Act in 27 villages, banning sale and purchase of land for the construction of Ring Road.

A senior official of the district administration said 14,600 kanals would be acquired for the project. He said Section 4 had been imposed in villages, including Chak Belly Mor, Buga Sangral, Baga Miana, Ghora Bharta, Mera Bharata, Chak Thoha, Losar, Chak Khas, Davari, Kotla Sunia, Gahi Mira, Khengar Kalan, Bhatti Nardian and Hoshial.“Land acquisition for the road project will cost approximately Rs4 billion,” he said and added that it was the main step for the project and a consultant would now complete the design of the road.

When contacted, Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mahmood confirmed that Section 4 had been imposed in the area of Ring Road to acquire land.

He said Ring Road would be 64 km long. The road, costing about Rs60 billion, will start from Radio Pakistan at G.T. Road in Rawat and meet motorway at Thalian. From Thalian, it will stretch to Sangjani on G.T. Road. In this regard, paperwork has been complete.

The commissioner said the Ring Road project would be completed in two phases. Prior to the start of the next financial year, all formalities will be completed.

“After its construction, all main markets will be shifted along the Ring Road,” he said, adding the business community had been taken on board and they were willing to establish economic zones along the road.

He said Ring Road would reduce traffic load in the city. A new city and commercial buildings could be established on both sides of the Ring Road.

“There is also a proposal to build a parking bay on Ring Road for heavy vehicles. The road will reduce heavy traffic on the main roads of Rawalpindi and Islamabad besides providing an alternative route to Islamabad International Airport,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2020