TAXILA: The Taxila Cantonment Board will chalk out a multimillion development plan for the provision of better civic facilities and improving the living standards of the residents of non-military area of the garrison city during the next fiscal year.

Briefing media persons about the development package here on Monday, cantonment executive officer Syed Zaki Haider Rizvi said 15 development projects worth Rs105 million would be completed in the area.

The projects included pavement of streets, roads, construction and improvement of drainage system, installation of streetlights, extension in the healthcare facilities, supply of clean drinking water and improving sports activities in the cantonment-run schools.

He said for the first time special focus was being given on the civil population of the garrison city and different development projects would be launched in Hassan Colony, Karam Complex, Muslim Colony, Kohsar Colony, Wahdat Colony, Museum Road and the villages of Shahpur, Bhir Darghai and Karam Wall.

The official said work on the renovation of the cantonment park was underway. The cantonment board authorities are also planning to take charge of the railway park to provide better recreation facilities to the visitors.

He said a pomegranate park would also be established on the Museum Road at an estimated cost of Rs1 million.

Mr Rizvi added that the long-standing demand of the residents to expand the timber market and link it with G.T. Road was being fulfilled and the project was at the final stage.

The three non-operational filtration plants in the city would be made functional soon while the water supply tank at Wahdat Colony would also be renovated and if recommended by the military engineers it would re constructed, he added.

A dispensary would also be set up on Museum Road to meet the health requirements of over 5,000 people of the area.

The official said during the ongoing fiscal year 42 development projects worth over Rs73 million were completed.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2014