New Master Plan will be prepared for the systematic, co-ordinated, integrated and futuristic development of Faisalabad while the issue to remove departmental hurdles for the construction of schools and health institutions in residential sachems will be moved in the Punjab Assembly very soon, said Sheikh Ijaz Ahmed, Chairman Faisalabad Development authority (FDA).
He was addressing a meeting at FCCI here on Monday. The meeting was also attended by Yawar Hussain, Director General FDA and other officials of the authority. He termed the FCCI as an integral part of the FDA as both the institutions are working for the welfare and uplift of the Faisalabad city. He said that he had taken the office of Chairman FDA about one year ago and during this period he made sincere efforts to provide basic civic amenities to the masses. Special emphasis was given on the construction of link roads for smooth and efficient connectivity between different parts of the city.
In this connection, a new proposal was under consideration to construct a spacious road from Jaranwala to Satiana Road along the existing water course. The most critical project of Jhall Khanuanna flyover is also under construction and it is expected to be completed within next two months. He told that Federal Government t has decided to construct a new and the state-of-the art airport near Chak Jhumra while clean portable water will be provided to each housing unit of this city by the year 2017.
He said that Park & Horticulture Agency (PHA) has been upgraded to full-fledged authority for the systematic plantation of the city. He told that a new Haseeb Shaheed General Hospital will be completed in the eastern part of the city with an estimated cost of Rs 2 billion.
Responding to a question about the FDA City, he said that all basic facilities including electricity have been provided in the two blocks of this mega project and now we expect that industrialists of Faisalabad will also play their role by constructing their factory outlet and help the FDA for the early colonisation of this city. He also disclosed that WASA Faisalabad is the first Water & Sanitation Agency of Punjab that has introduced bottled water and now other WASAs of the province are also replicating this project in their respective city. He told that he will direct Managing Director WASA to visit FCCI and brief the local business community about the bottled water project of WASA.
He also directed that the issue of delay in the construction of schools and health institutions in FDA colonies should be presented in the next meeting of Governing Body of the FDA so that immediate action could be taken for the construction of schools and dispensaries etc.
Responding to a question, he said that commercial plaza in Gulistan Colony has been proposed and foundation stone of this project will be laid within next couple of months. Yawar Hussain, DG FDA said that a consultant has been appointed for the preparation of Master Plan. He told that facilities have been provided in FDA city and now industrialists should start immediate construction of their factory outlets in the FDA City to make it attractive picnic cum shopping spot.
Responding a question about the appointment of FCCI President as ex-officio member of the Governing Body of FDA, he assured that this proposal will be processed on fast track basis. Regarding nomination of female member, he told that recommendations have already been forwarded to Chief Minister for his approval. Earlier, Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz, President FCCI, demanded a world class expo-centre in FDA city and also announced two committees headed by Shahid A. Sheikh and Chaudhry Muhammad Boota. These committees will co-ordinate with FDA for the construction of factory outlet and problems relating to the FDA colonies.
Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz also welcomed the allocation of Rs 60 million for the renovation and development of Kalim Shaheed Park and assured that the FCCI will continue its support to the PHA for the beautification and extensive plantation of the city. Expressing concern over the construction of private residential colonies in notified industrial areas, Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain, Senior Vice President FCCI, said that Millat Industrial Estate has been developed but many housing schemes have started cropping up which will ultimately create environment and other problems for the industrialists and hence this trend should be checked with an iron hand.
He warned that the industrialists were already planning to shift their industries from the congested residential areas outside the Faisalabad city but if the practice of allowing housing colonies in industrial areas continues, they would be forced to stop the shifting process of industries from the city areas. Later, FCCI Mementos were presented to Sheikh Ijaz Ahmed, Chairman and Yawar Hussain Director General FDA.