Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) is yet to forward an invitation for the expression of interest (EOI) required for the preparation of a new master plan for the city — despite the existing master plan set to expire this month, a news source reported.
The current plan was formed in January 2001 and it was designed to meet all of the city’s requirements over the next two decades. Thus, the new Rawalpindi Master plan is also expected to fulfil the needs of the city for the next 20 years, till at least the year 2040. The new proposed plan will contain the developmental plans and agendas of all government departments concerned, and is intended to meet the city’s requirements by keeping in view the expected rise in population in the coming 20 years.
The RDA finalised the terms of reference (TORs) for the Rawalpindi Master Plan in July 2019. However, over the last three months, it has been facing delays in inviting an EOI from competitive firms in the market. As per the original proposal, the city’s new master plan was to be finalised by the end of this year.
The new master plan will focus on attending to traffic issues, the provision of utility services and proposal to construct new infrastructure in Rawalpindi — based on the estimated rise in the city’s population in the next 20 years.
