Rawalpindi: Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) has slashed the cost from PKR 144.414 million to PKR 90.075 million for the construction of Rawalpindi Ring Road (RRR), a news source reported. This was decided during a meeting of the provincial apex body (PDWP) presided over by Punjab Planning and Development Board chairman.
The meeting reviewed the PC-II of the project and decided to reduce the cost of the project’s design and feasibility. It also forwarded a summary to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar for approval.
The provincial government has yet to decide on a funding plan for the project. One option is to secure loans from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank of China (AIIB). The second option involves public-private partnership.
The government has also not yet finalised the executing authority for the project. Reportedly, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and Punjab Communications and Works Department (C&W) are the two prime civic bodies, and the government will take one on board.
Authorities have planned the inauguration for March 2019. The project, planned 25 years ago, will also feature mono trains, the tracks for which will be laid in cooperation with Pakistan Railways.
At least 1,080 acres of land will be acquired for the 38-kilometre-long track of RRR. The project will have three interchanges, 10 overhead bridges, six regular bridges, and a 15-kilometre long network of link roads.
