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A high-level meeting was held at Punjab House, Islamabad under the chair of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar to review different matters pertaining to Lai expressway project on Friday. The Chief Minister was given briefing and detailed discussion was held about different aspects of the project. Usman Buzdar issued directions to line departments.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Lai expressway project will be constructed under public-private partnership.
It has been decided to increase the total length of this project to 23.2 km now. Leh Expressway would originate from Soan Bridge up to IG Principal Road, Islamabad to facilitate maximum population of the city.
He said that an additional six kilometer portion from Katarian to Kashmir Highway will also be included and the utility of express highway will be enhanced as a result of this increase in the length of the project.
Prime Minister, Imran Khan, appointed Sheikh Rasheed as focal person of Nullah Lai Expressway project.
The Chief Minister was briefed that Lai expressway project will be constructed from Swan bridge to Kashmir Highway Islamabad. 6.2 kilometer portion from Swan to Amar Chowk, 11 kilometer portion from Amar Chowk to Katarian Bridge, IGP Road and six kilometer portion from Katarian to Kashmir Highway will be included in this project.
Due to this project, the citizens of Rawalpindi and Islamabad will enjoy the facility of speedy transportation. Similarly, this project will also be helpful in saving the citizens of both cities from the situation of floods.
The Chief Minister directed that final recommendations should be submitted soon after detailed review of different designs of the project. He said that Lai expressway project is a gift of PTI government for the people of twin cities adding that quality of life of the people living around Nullah Lai will be increased after the construction of this project. Lai expressway project is a part of governmental plan to provide most modern facility to the citizens of twin cities.
He said that people have enthusiastically sided with the PTI in Rawalpindi and the government is fully committed to provide best facilities to the citizens of Rawalpindi and Islamabad despite economic issues. The Lai expressway project is a part of this program which is a message of prosperity and change for the people of the area, the Chief Minister added.
Leh Expressway project was expected to launch in the Pervez Musharraf regime in 2007 when Rasheed was Railways minister.
Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said that mega project of Lai expressway has been designed keeping in view the transport needs of next 15 years.
Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, Engineer-in-Chief MES Lt. Gen. Muhammad Afzal, Chief Secretary Punjab, DG FWO Maj. Gen. Inam Haider, DG NLC Maj. Gen. Asim Iqbal, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, SMBR, Chairman P&D, secretaries of C&W, housing and irrigation departments, MD NESPAK, DG RDA and others attended
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