The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has failed to get funds for its medium-term development framework (MTDF), a three-year plan for urban development and housing in the city, as the organisation could not convince the ministers and elected representatives of the area.
The RDA sought Rs 17.5 billion from the Punjab government to implement the MTDF.
A highly placed official in the RDA told this scribe that almost 15 projects had been designed under that programme and were sent to the provincial government for approval and allocation of funds.
The RDA requested for grant of Rs 1.806 billion for development and remodelling of Kamalabad Chowk, widening and remodelling of roads and intersections from Kutchery Chowk to Islamabad international airport, Dhok Khabba (Hameed Khan) Road and Chah Sultan Road, traffic improvement scheme around Murree Road, and widening and improvement of Ghazni Chowk and Dhok Dalal Road.
He said the authority had also demanded Rs 1.285 billion to enhance the traffic handling capacity of Marrir Chowk and Murree Road, construction of a fly-over at Aik Moria bridge, Gawalmandi, construction of Gunjmandi bridge, construction of an overhead bridge at Liaquat Bagh, Rialto Chowk, extension of Nullah Lai bridge and traffic management.
Besides, rupees eight billion were also sought for the Rawalpindi ring road and the link road from Islamabad international airport to High Court at G.T. Road, he added.
He said the authority required Rs 17.5 billion for launching and completion of all these development projects, for which proposals were sent to the Provincial Housing and Physical Planning Secretary, but so far funds were not provided.