Latest news with #RawalpindiMunicipalCorporation
Express Tribune
06-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
RMC finalises Rs1.4b infrastructure, beautification project
The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has finalised a major project worth Rs1.4 billion aimed at the carpeting, expansion and complete restoration of 16 key roads in the garrison city, along with an upgraded drainage system. The project also includes the underground cabling and beautification of the historic Raja Bazaar and Commercial Market areas. According to the sources, the tender for technical bids for the carpeting, expansion, and design of the 16 roads, as well as the completion of the uplift and drainage system, will be opened on May 13. The 16 roads include Ganj Mandi Road, Liaquat Road, DAV College Road, Holy Family Road, Food Street Road, Siskat Road, Faisal Chowk to Door Line Road, ICP Institute Road to Old RWMC Road, Pir Panjra Chowk to Phagwari Road, Dhoke Dalal Road, Pir Wadhai Bridge to Dhoke Dalal Bridge, Bani Chowk to Asghar Mall Road Chowk, Gandum Mandi Novelty Cinema Road, Imambargah Road, and Degree College Asghar Mall Road. However, the work for the restoration and carpeting of roads in Raja Bazaar and Commercial Market will only begin once the underground cabling project is completed. The municipal corporation has already engaged consultants to oversee the underground cabling and beautification of these two areas. Based on the consultant's report, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) will issue a demand note for the underground cabling project. The agreement between the municipal corporation and IESCO stipulates that the municipal corporation will first obtain a report from the consultants to facilitate the issuance of two separate demand notes for the underground cabling work in Raja Bazaar and Commercial Market.
Express Tribune
13-04-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Rawalpindi issues red notices for 265 dilapidated buildings
With the monsoon season approaching, the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, District Council and Evacuee Trust Property Board have issued red notices to owners and tenants of 265 dangerously dilapidated multi-storey buildings across Rawalpindi, directing immediate evacuation and reconstruction. Authorities have warned that failure to vacate these buildings within 30 days will result in strict action. Post-evacuation, such buildings will be sealed. The city experiences severe damage during heavy monsoon rains every year, with two to three building collapses typically reported, often resulting in loss of life and property. Among the affected structures are several British-era buildings, estimated to be between 80 to 120 years old. A recent survey has deemed them high-risk for residential use. Despite this, many low-income families continue to reside in them due to low rents. Some of these properties are owned by the Evacuee Trust Property Board and include shops and markets under its control. These crumbling structures are mainly located in the city's old quarters, including Bhabra Bazaar, Trunk Bazaar, Shah Chan Chiragh, Loharan Street, Moti Bazaar, Raja Bazaar, Bohar Bazaar, Banni Mohalla, Ghazni Road, Usmanpura, Saddar, Gawalmandi, Ganjmandi, Hamilton Road, Saidpuri Gate, Jungleat Road, Jamia Masjid Road, Mohalla Niariyan, Kartarpura, Mohanpura, Kalan Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Purana Qila, Sabzi Mandi, Qadeemi Mohalla, and Akal Garh. Several other dilapidated structures are also reported in Rawalpindi's suburban areas, including the vicinity of Lal Haveli. In many cases, six to eight families have been living in small three-storey houses for over five decades, paying only a few thousand rupees in rent. Similar conditions exist in government-owned properties managed by the Evacuee Trust Board. Notices have been issued to all such residents. Some tenants have challenged these notices in court. The notices also warn that if any untoward incident occurs during the monsoon due to non-compliance, tenants could face legal charges. Authorities have stated that an operation to evacuate and seal the buildings will begin after May 15 if the orders are not followed.
Express Tribune
06-04-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Pindi bans new car wash stations amid water crisis
To mitigate the growing threat of a severe water crisis, the Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department has imposed an immediate ban on the establishment of new car wash service stations across the province, including all six districts of Rawalpindi Division. The department has issued a warning that violators of the ban will face legal action under Section 188. The department's Director General Dr Imran Sheikh stated that washing a single car consumes approximately 40 litres of water, while motorcycles require around 20 litres and larger vehicles up to 50 litres. With thousands of vehicles washed daily, billions of litres of water are being wastedresources that could otherwise be conserved. According to the Rawalpindi district office of the department, there are an estimated 10,000 car wash stations operating in the Rawalpindi range alone. Additionally, thousands of individuals are engaged in small-scale car washing services in local markets, typically using 5 to 7 litres of water per vehicle. Punjab has experienced 42 per cent less rainfall this year, intensifying concerns over water scarcity. The department has also enforced a strict ban on the use of diesel during vehicle washing at existing service stations in the Rawalpindi Division. The use of diesel and oil, especially when sprayed with high-pressure air and water on vehicle engines and tyres, renders the wastewater extremely polluted and unrecyclable. Any service station found using diesel or oil will be sealed. Starting Monday, April 7, the department will issue fines and potentially shut down car wash stations across Rawalpindi Division that fail to install proper water recycling systems, despite prior notices. Recycled water must be used for operations moving forward, and non-compliance will result in heavy penalties and legal action. In February, the Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department issued formal red notices to all 465 car wash service stations, both large and small, in Rawalpindi district, instructing them to install wastewater recycling systems. According to officials, the notices were issued in response to the potential severe water crisis due to ongoing drought conditions. The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency, and the District Council administration have also issued similar notices to service stations, private tube wells, and bore well owners, setting a deadline of February 28 for installation. In response, car wash station owners have protested, questioning how they could afford the costly system so quickly.
Express Tribune
07-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt quietly defers key uplift projects
The Punjab government has postponed six mega infrastructure projects in Rawalpindi for the upcoming fiscal year due to severe financial constraints and a 40-60 per cent shortfall in tax recoveries across relevant departments. The delayed projects include the Leh Expressway, a sewage treatment plant, the Rawalpindi Ring Road, the Chahan Dam water supply scheme, Daducha Dam, and the Ghazi Barotha Dam project. Additionally, new development schemes under the Rawalpindi District Council and the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation have been put on hold, with no funds allocated until at least June 30, 2025. As a result of the delays and rising construction material costscement, steel, sand, and gravel have surged by 30-40 per centthe estimated costs of these projects have skyrocketed. The Leh Expressway's initial budget of Rs17 billion has now inflated to Rs80-85 billion, while the sewage treatment plant's cost has doubled from Rs30 billion to Rs60 billion. Similarly, the Chahan Dam water supply project has risen from Rs6.5 billion to Rs8 billion, and the Ghazi Barotha Dam project has become unfeasible due to an additional Rs100 billion in estimated costs. The Punjab government has revised the completion timeline for the Rawalpindi Ring Road project four times within a year, pushing it to the first half of the 2025-26 fiscal year, with a potential further delay to 2026. Meanwhile, no funds have been allocated to the Rawalpindi District Council and the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation for any major projects until at least June 30. However, the government is expected to release funds to Punjab Assembly and National Assembly members within the next two months, with a final decision set to be made after Eid. Authorities have also issued strict warnings to tax-collecting agencies to meet their targets, instructing them to intensify field operations. District Coordination Committee convener and MNA Engineer Qamarul Islam has assured that major projects like the Adiala Road expansion, Khawaja Corporation underpass, and Mall Road underpasses will be completed within the next three months. He also promised accelerated work on the Rawalpindi Ring Road after Eid, claiming that development projects worth Rs1 billion are currently underway in Rawalpindi, ushering in a "green revolution" of progress in the district.
Express Tribune
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pigeon, kite flying banned around Nur Khan Airbase
To ensure security during the Pakistan Day parade on March 23, the Rawalpindi administration has imposed Section 144 around Nur Khan Airbase, banning pigeon flying, kite flying, celebratory gunfire, bird hunting, and garbage accumulation. Security measures have been tightened, with increased patrolling and monitoring around the airbase. Violators will be arrested, and cases will be registered against them. The decision was taken in a high-level meeting chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner General Hassan Tariq, where preparations for the March 23 flypast and VIP movements were reviewed. Authorities have ordered the immediate removal of pigeon coops and bird cages in areas surrounding Islamabad Airport, including Gulzar-e-Quaid and Ghauri Town, to minimise the risk of bird strikes. The Rawalpindi Waste Management Company, Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, and Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency have been tasked with ensuring cleanliness in the vicinity. Kite flying and pigeon keeping were already banned under Section 144 until March 11, but the restriction has now been extended. Special committees under the Civil Defense Department have been formed to carry out enforcement operations. The assistant commissioner and police have been directed to complete all actions promptly.
