RAWALPINDI, April 3: The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) is considering requesting the federal government for a special grant of Rs80 million for uplift works in the underdeveloped areas of the cantonment.

This was stated by the 10 Corps Commander, Lt-Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kiani, while talking to reporters after attending a function at Shah Balut Park here on Sunday.

The corps commander said attention would be given to the provision of civic amenities in the poor areas of the cantonments. Two parks have also been planned, he added.

He said The Mall was being widened from three to six lanes to streamline traffic flow. The project, he said, was being executed by the National Logistic Cells and the 10 Corps engineers. Similarly, the idea of Ring Road, which had been shelved, is also being reviewed since it is more important than the construction of under-passes. Its feasibility study will be carried out by the provincial government, he said.

Airport Road will also be widened and the process of acquiring land for the purpose is in progress. An amount of Rs60 million has been released initially for the project, the corps commander said.

Earlier, speaking as chief guest at 'Darakshan Bahaar Mela', organized by the Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness (PFFB) and the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, the corps commander appreciated the foundation for its services to special persons.

He stressed on donors, philanthropists and other organizations to make contribution for the special children. He said he would take personal interest in arranging a plot for the PFFB in cantonment jurisdiction. He also announced a donation of Rs0.1 million for the foundation.

Speaking on the occasion, the RCB executive officer, Kh Iftikhar Mir, stressed on giving attention to the special people to bring them to the mainstream of the society. He said the well- to-do ought to help the deprived sections of the population.

He called for raising awareness in the general public about the rights of the disabled and the poor. He assured the PFFB that a plot would be allotted to it in the cantonment area and fund-raising would also be arranged to enable the foundation to construct its office building.

Special children presented different programmes on the occasion, receiving applause from the audience.