ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said the ambitious Ravi Urban Development (RUD) and Central Business District (CBD) projects would substantially reduce pollution levels by featuring green spaces, waste management, clean energy sources and eco-friendly international best practices.
The prime minister, while chairing a meeting to review progress on the said projects, emphasised they were of vital importance for the nation, particularly Lahore.
He said the government had no self-interest and instead it was working for the welfare of the people of Lahore.
Khan said the incumbent government had revitalised dead capital to earn revenues and had initiated landmark construction projects that no previous government planned during the last two decades.
He warned disciplinary action would be taken against officials who did not adhere to timelines that cause delays in projects’ implementation. He also directed the Punjab government to actively pursue legal cases pending against these elements.
Earlier, the meeting was briefed that green spaces had been reserved in all projects and clean technologies would be used to ensure eco-friendly construction.
It was apprised that seven international groups have participated in the establishment of a waste treatment plant in the RUD project and agreements had been reached with international organisations including United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UNHABITAT) to comply with international green standards.
The meeting was also updated regarding components of Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) projects to be considered for inclusion in CPEC.
It was informed that a 1,500-kanal Chahaar Bagh residential project has been launched with 3,000 apartments and 1,000 low-cost apartments for which 17,500 applications have been received and balloting would be held next month.
Regarding CBD, it was apprised that Rs15 billion revenue was expected from the sale of seven mixed-used plots. It was informed that levelling and excavation work had started in Walton.
The meeting was attended by Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority chairman retired Lt Gen Anwar Ali Haider and senior officials. Provincial Housing Minister Mian Mehmood ur-Rasheed, Advisor to the chief minister Dr Salman Shah, Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal and senior government officials joined via video link.
