PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has directed authorities to determine the jurisdictions of the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) and other departments responsible for providing urban facilities in the provincial capital.

He also asked them to come up with a viable plan within a month to ensure visible progress on the ‘New Peshawar Valley’ project.

The chief minister issued these directions while chairing the 11th PDA board meeting at the CM House, where provincial minister for local government Arshad Ayub Khan, Peshawar mayor Haji Zubair Ali, administrative secretaries of the relevant departments, and other board members were also in attendance, according to an official statement issued here on Thursday.

Officials told participants that the PDA had decided to construct underpasses and flyovers on the Ring Road and other key arteries to address traffic issues in the provincial capital.

They added that initially, eight underpasses and flyovers, including three on the Ring Road and five at other points with a congested and heavy flow of traffic, would be constructed.

The board approved the plan for widening and rehabilitating the Ring Road and solarising tube wells operated under the administrative control of the PDA.

The solarisation of tube wells is expected to save Rs810 million annually, according to the official statement.

The board also approved the action plan for establishing education complexes in the provincial capital.

It accorded conditional approval to different rules and regulations under the PDA Act, 2017, deciding that a committee to be headed by the local government minister would further look into proposed rules and regulations and finalise them in the next 14 days.

The board conditionally approved the proposed action plan for constructing high-rise buildings at different PDA sites under a public-private partnership.

It also approved the provision of land for establishing a forensic science laboratory in Hayatabad and a paraplegic centre in the Regi Model Town.

On the occasion, the chief minister issued directions for the installation of solar lights at the central media at the Grand Trunk Road from Peshawar Motorway to Hayatabad.

He also ordered steps on a priority basis for the renovation and beautification of the grey structure of the Bus Rapid Transit.

Mr Gandapur issued orders for the solarisation of the entire PDA infrastructure and said that special arrangements should be made for the maintenance and repair of roads in the areas under the jurisdiction of the PDA.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2024