RAWALPINDI: Funds worth PKR 1.145 billion for three major development projects in Rawalpindi have been returned to the government after the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) failed to initiate them.
The provincial government had released PKR 1 billion for the Kutchery Chowk Remodeling Project, PKR 50 million for the land acquisition for Leh Expressway and flood channel, and PKR 42 million for the Ring Road.
A senior official from the RDA stated that the caretaker government had asked for the money to be returned as the projects were not initiated.
The official also stated that the fate of these projects would be decided by the newly elected government after the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections.
However, a senior official from the provincial government stated that the caretaker government does not have the mandate to initiate any development projects or allocate money for new projects.
The official also mentioned that the ban on new development projects imposed by the provincial government would not impact the ongoing projects.
Additionally, the RDA has written a letter to the finance department seeking the release of the funds for these “ongoing projects”, but the finance department has not responded yet.
Furthermore, the authority is ready to initiate the three projects, but the appointment of a foreign consultant for the Rawalpindi Ring Road has caused a minor setback.
Furthermore, the Director General RDA, Saif Anwar Jappa stated that the caretaker government withdrew the funds for the development projects and so the money had to be returned.
He also mentioned that the RDA would continue with the selection of a consultant firm if allowed by the caretaker Chief Minister and that the project would commence after the formation of a new government in the next fiscal year.
