RAWALPINDI: Commissioner retired Captain Mohammad Mehmood said that Rawalpindi Ring Road will ease traffic congestion besides transforming the garrison city.

He said this while addressing a workshop at Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) attended by a large number of traders, members of the business community and transporters. Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Chairman Tariq Mahmood, Director General Abdul Sattar Issani and other officials concerned were also present.

Mr Mehmood said eight economic zones will be set up on Rawalpindi Ring Road where markets, factories, truck and bus stands will be established.

He said health, education and sports city will also be constructed along the road.

Land in all economic zones will be bought by traders and members of the business community as per their requirement while the government would be responsible for providing electricity, gas and water besides road access to them, he said, adding as per the decision of the Supreme Court, the government cannot buy land for commercial purposes, therefore no proposal in this regard could be considered.

Mr Mehmood said that the Rawalpindi Ring Road project is a two-decade-old project but now for the first time, tenders for this project have been advertised in national and international magazines and the bidding process will take three months to complete.

He said it is not possible to give the completion date of any mega project but it will roughly be completed by December 2023. Land prices are increasing in all economic zones on Ring Road and they would increase further with the passage of time.

Therefore, it is important for traders and members of the business and goods and transport community to purchase land therein, he said, adding the government will play the role of regulator and planner while the private sector would work in these economic zones on the purchased spots.

Mr Mahmood said entry of heavy traffic in Rawalpindi is dangerous for the environment and security which is why relocation of bus and truck depots from the city is inevitable. He said after the construction of Ring Road, entry of heavy traffic in the city would be legally banned.

The commissioner also answered questions of officials from the business community.

The workshop was attended by officials from Rawalpindi Goods Association, Anjuman Aartiyan Wheat Market, Sawan Transport Terminal, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and Furniture Market along with officials from various transport and trade associations.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2021