Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Saturday said work on rupees five billion mega development schemes in Peshawar are in progress while Rs 21 billion would be spent on the projects to be initiated soon. This he stated while addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of Gulbahar-Nishterabad Flyover Project.
The chief minister said that being the metropolis of the province and identity of Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar would be developed as it deserves and for this purpose, shortage of funds will not be allowed to become an obstacle. It was informed on the occasion that Gulbahar Flyover would be completed with an estimated cost of 670 million in 18 months. He said that comprehensive planning has been done on the report of elected representatives' committee for Peshawar's uplift projects worth billions of rupees. He informed that 11 underpasses/flyovers and an international standard zoo have also been approved for the city.
Hoti said that with the completion of Gulbahar Flyover, traffic system on the busy GT road would be streamlined besides saving precious time and energy. He informed that work on rupees three billion worth Southern By-pass is underway which includes widening of Ring Road and extra four-kilometre road to link heavy traffic directly with Jamrud Road, bypassing residential area of Hayatabad.
He maintained that completion of all four corners of Ring Road is necessary to minimise the problems relating to traffic. From Charsadda Road to Nasir Bagh, Ring Road would be completed in a phased manner, which would cost more than 10 billion rupees, he said and added that funds for road construction from Pachagi to Charsadda Raod would be released before June next. The chief minister said that to cope with the growing needs of residential units, possession of plots is being given to allotted persons in two zones of Regi Lalma while strong action has been ordered against illegal occupiers.
Giving details of the ongoing projects in Peshawar, he said work is underway with full pace on significant projects including up-gradation of Southern By-pass with Rs 3.32 billion, Gulbahar Flyover Rs 670 million, repair of city roads Rs 620 million, City Circular Road Rs 130 million, repair of inter city small roads Rs 100 million, inter city big roads with Rs 120 million and women and children hospital with an estimated cost of 400 million. He added that projects, which are near to be kicked off would consume more than Rs 21 billion.
Hoti said resources of the province have been increased in NFC Award but on the other hand it has also put extra responsibilities on the government adding that despite these new responsibilities the development of Peshawar cannot be overlooked. Provincial Ministers including Bashir Ahmed Bilour and Syed Zahir Ali Shah in their speeches highly commended the role of chief minister for the uplift and development of Peshawar and said that it is all because of his efforts that people of Peshawar are witnessing a pleasant change in their city.