Rawalpindi: Several infrastructural development projects for Rawalpindi – which were scheduled for the ongoing fiscal year (FY) – have now been moved to the upcoming FY2020-21, according to news sources. The said projects include mega communication and water supply projects, some of which have been delayed for years.
A government official revealed that these projects include Leh Expressway, Rawalpindi Ring Road, Ghazi Barotha, Dadocha and Chahan dams, among others. The issue that concerns the authorities is that the cost has ballooned by as much as 700% during the delays suffered by these projects. The cost of development of Leh Expressway has increased from PKR 17 billion to PKR 90 billion. The cost of Ghazi Barotha water supply project has escalated from an initial estimate of PKR 37 billion to PKR 100 billion.
Previously, Chief Minister (Punjab) Sardar Usman Buzdar had announced issuing funds for some of these development projects for Rawalpindi. However, in the wake of the escalating coronavirus situation in the country, the promised funds were diverted to the relief attempts.
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