ISLAMABAD: Significant funds for development infrastructure of the capital were earmarked in the budget for the fiscal year 2020-21.

According to budgetary documents, the government has allocated funds for several projects. An amount of Rs800 million has been fixed for construction of Korang Bridge and PWD underpass on Islamabad Expressway, Rs1 billion for construction of 10th Avenue and Rs300 million for the flyover and approaches at Railway Lines Sihala.

According to the documents, Rs500 million each have been earmarked for union councils in NA-54, 53 and 52 for various development projects.

Planning Minister Asad Umar, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Capital Development Authority (CDA) Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan and Raja Khurram Nawaz represent these constituencies.

Whereas, Rs400 million have been allocated to carry out feasibility for conduction of water from Indus Water System at Tarbela Dam while Rs3154.671 million have been fixed for land acquisition for the project.

Work on Korang Bridge, PWD underpass and 10th Avenue to be initiated this fiscal

An amount of Rs81 million has been set aside for construction of a road from Darbar Sain Mirho to Shams Colony, Railway Road and Rs50 million for land revenue record management system in the rural area phase II.

An amount of Rs75 million has been allocated for rehabilitation and construction of a road from Dhrek Mohri Chowk to Islam Market Mera Jaffar, Islamabad.

For the ongoing schemes, the government has allocated Rs200 million for Korang River and Rawal Lake water treatment plant and Rs121 million for rehabilitation of roads in F, G, H and I series sectors. Besides, Rs200 million have been allocated for roads and pavements in Islamabad and Rs300 million for sanitation and water supply schemes.

The government has made allocations for the projects of the interior division under Public Sector Development Programme, which is the parent ministry of the Capital Development Authority, ICT administration and Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad.

Meanwhile, the federal government has earmarked Rs800 million for development budget of the education ministry to complete the remaining work in educational institutions of the city.

According to budget documents, Rs800 million has been allocated for the upcoming fiscal year for the ongoing project titled 'renovation/rehabilitation of physical infrastructure of 200 educational institutions under the Prime Minister Education Reforms Programme'.

Besides other projects of the education ministry, Rs100 million have been allocated for leftover work in Islamabad Model College for Girls, Bhara Kahu.

Speaking to Dawn, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Ali Nawaz Awan said the upcoming fiscal year will bring significant development activities in Islamabad.

He said construction of 10th Avenue was a major project and people had been demanding it for decades, adding that the neglected project of expanding Korang Bridge on Islamabad Expressway and construction of PWD underpass will help ease traffic congestion on the expressway.

Similarly, he said Sihala Flyover project on Kahuta Road was a major project.

“This year, the government allocated significant funds for Ghazi Barotha water project, which was vital to meet water demand of the twin cities,” Mr Awan said, adding that in this budget, development schemes related to almost all areas of the capital had been prioritised.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2020