Islamabad: The federal government has allocated PKR 2.2 billion for the ongoing Islamabad Development Package in budget 2023-24 to uplift the rural areas of the city, a news source reported on June 10.
The news source mentioned that the Islamabad Development Package has been allocated PKR 2.2 billion to carry out development work in various rural union councils of Islamabad. The proposed projects encompass a wide range of initiatives, including sanitation and road projects, street pavement, road rehabilitation, and water supply schemes. The total estimated cost of the project is PKR 9.4 billion, with PKR 4,856 million expected to be spent by June 30 of this year.
In addition to this ongoing development package, the government, in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority (CDA), has decided to launch development projects worth PKR 10 billion in the rural areas of Islamabad. The initial phase of the project, worth PKR 2.5 billion, is already underway, and tenders have been opened for the assigned works.
Another significant project included in the budget for 2023-24 is the Rawal Lake Water Treatment Project. It has been revealed that the total cost of the Korang River and Rawal Lake Water Treatment Plant is estimated to cost PKR 6 billion. The CDA plans to install three sewage treatment plants in the catchment area of Rawal Dam to prevent the flow of contaminated water into the reservoir. These plants will be constructed in lower Shahdara, Bari Imam, and near Banigala. The project is expected to be completed within 14 months.
Furthermore, the federal government has allocated PKR 29 million in the budget for conducting a feasibility study for new Metro Bus routes from Bhara Kahu to Faizabad and Faizabad to Rawat. Currently, the Metro bus service operates from Bhara Kahu to Pims and from Koral to Pims, but under temporary arrangements amidst regular traffic. However, the government intends to establish dedicated metro bus services on the mentioned routes, with separate corridors.
According to the news source, a project worth PKR 278 million has been finalized for the feasibility study, and PKR 29 million has been allocated to the CDA for this purpose. Once the feasibility study is completed, the CDA will proceed with the construction of designated corridors for the metro bus service, similar to the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Service.
Under the Public Sector Development Programme (PDSP), a nominal amount has been allocated for the ongoing 10th Avenue and Sihala flyover projects. The 10th Avenue project, with a total cost of PKR 12 billion, has been earmarked PKR 400 million, while PKR 405 million has been set aside for the Sihala flyover project, which requires PKR 9.5 billion for completion.
Iqra holds BS in International Relations and is passionate about writing engaging content on trending real estate topics. When not working, she is either spending time with family, shopping, or discussing shows & movies.
