Governor KP orders timely completion of Peshawar uplift projects

PESHAWAR
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday chaired a meeting regarding the Peshawar Master Development Plan and directed timely completion of all ongoing development projects.
The meeting was attended by Adviser to Chief Minister on Finance Asif Mahmood Pasha, Adviser on Local Government Asif Rafiq, Chief Secretary and other relevant officials.
The governor was given a detailed briefing on 100-day and 180-day targets under the Peshawar Master Development Plan, said a handout.
According to the statement, officials informed the meeting that completion of Ring Road Missing Link Phase-I and Phase-II, underpasses, installation of electric poles, lighting and cabling were part of the 100-day targets.
They said three underpasses in Peshawar had been completed, while Pishtakhara and Jamil Chowk underpasses would be completed soon. Work on installation, rehabilitation, lighting and cabling of electric poles on Ring Road and GT Road at a cost of Rs500 million was in progress.
The meeting was also briefed on rehabilitation, upgradation and construction of 35 important roads in Peshawar, construction of level-II of Pir Zakori Flyover and expansion of Nasir Bagh Road.
Officials said consultants had been hired for construction of underpasses on University Road, Ramdas Chungai and Lahori Chowk Phase-I.
The 323-kanal New Peshawar Bus Terminal would be made functional soon under public-private partnership model.
It was informed that debris from sites cleared during anti-encroachment operation would be removed within two days. Detailed discussion was held on beautification of cleared land, including grass plantation and development of public spaces.
The meeting also discussed construction of shopping malls or flats on old bus stands. Feasibility and design for shifting electricity wires underground from Pir Zakori Flyover to Aman Chowk, Karkhano Market, had been completed.
The governor was also briefed on traffic issues, their causes and parking plazas. Officials said traffic problems were being faced on Dalazak Road, Charsadda Road and Circular Road due to construction of centre medians. No rickshaw or chingchi had been registered after 2016 due to absence of relevant law. The meeting also discussed launching of e-challan system and Regi Model Town.
Governor Kundi directed that recarpeting of University Road be carried out on priority basis and work be started on shifting electricity wires underground across the city, which would also help prevent power theft.
He said canal roads in Peshawar should be beautified on the pattern of Lahore with modern lighting and decorative measures. He directed that timely completion of all ongoing projects within stipulated period be ensured and traffic police be consulted on proposed underpasses.
He said relevant departments should form a joint working group to resolve traffic issues at congested points in Peshawar, adding that legislation for registration of chingchi rickshaws was inevitable.
The governor directed effective action against violation of traffic rules and strict implementation of laws, and launching of an effective awareness campaign to educate citizens about traffic rules.
He also directed immediate beautification of tourist spots in Peshawar, special attention to improvement of electric poles, streetlights and other basic facilities, and preparation of feasibility study for construction of an underpass on Kohat Road.
He further directed that public spaces be developed and cleared land be beautified during anti-encroachment operations and that immediate legislation be carried out where required to resolve public issues, particularly for registration of chingchi rickshaws.