The interim Punjab government has turned down the Rawalpindi Development Authority’s funding request for the Leh Expressway and Sewage Treatment Plant projects in the new 4-month interim budget covering the period from November 1, 2023, to February 2, 2024.
Consequently, these long-pending projects, which have been in limbo for the past 18 years, are likely to experience a 30 per cent increase in their estimated costs. The total funds requested for these vital projects amounted to over Rs84.6 billion which included over Rs24.9 billion for the Sewage Treatment Plant and Rs59.6 billion for the Leh Expressway. An additional Rs90.5 million were sought for the joint Project Management Unit (PMU) overseeing both initiatives.
Sources said the caretaker Punjab government has declined these requests citing financial constraints and economic challenges. Sources further said this crucial project has now been postponed until June 30, 2024. Funding for the construction of protective fencing along the 18-kilometer Nullah Leh has also been halted.
Read Sewerage system crisis plagues Korangi
Originally, plans included the construction of a sewage water treatment plant on 1,000 kanals of land owned by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) in Gorakhpur. The plant was intended to treat sewage water for reinjection into the Swan River for irrigation purposes.
Sources said the caretaker Punjab government has left the responsibility for these high-cost projects to the newly elected government.
“If the caretaker government is required to present a provincial budget for the third time in February 2024, it is unlikely that these projects will be included in the budget,” they said.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2023.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ