ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved the long-delayed Nullah Leh project in Rawalpindi to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 75 billion in two years.
Besides the construction of expressway on both sides of Nullah Leh under the project, two malls will also be constructed on state land. The prime minister gave approval of Nullah Leh project during a meeting and directed to immediately start work on the project which would be completed under the model of public-private partnership.
Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, Member National Assembly Shafiq Rashid Ahmed and senior officers were present in the meeting which was also attended by Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab Dr. Salman Shah and Chief Secretary Punjab via video-link.
The prime minister said that along with the Nullah Leh project, the process of zoning of the related area and changing by-laws in that respect should be completed in few weeks so that multi-storey buildings and commercial markets could also be constructed on both sides the expressway.
He further said that addressing the problems of Rawalpindi was a foremost priority and the Nullah Leh project would prove an important milestone in the transformation of the city. He was also briefed in detail about the Rawalpindi Ring Road project and the progress in that respect.
Earlier this month, Chairman Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Tariq Mehmood Murtaza chaired a committee meeting about risks within Nullah Leh project.
The Chairman RDA discussed various issues of Nullah Leh such as rainwater harvesting, trash segregation, safe and secure flow, installation of sewerage water treatment plants, and plantation of bamboos along the banks for recycling and provision of flood retardation basin in Islamabad.
They also discussed collaboration with the Capital Development Authority and Federal Flood Commission and maintenance of flood forecasting and flood warning systems.
He said flood retardation basin will effectively cater to super floods and prevent flood peaks at its initial stages. He said clean and green Nullah Leh would create good and healthy atmosphere and would result in improving the environmental condition as well.
