RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has launched a beautification project worth Rs325 million.

The `Shining Saddar` project`s details were shared with members of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) by the RCB officials at a briefing at the RCCI offices.

Station Commander and Cantonment Board President Brigadier Ijaz Qamar Kayani, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board Cantonment Executive Officer (CEO) Umar Farooq and Chaklala Cantonment Board CEO Wasim Shahid attended the meeting.

Group leader Sohail Altaf, RCCI senior vice president Usman Ashraf, vice president Shahraiz A. Malik, former presidents Shamail Dawood, Asad Mashhadi, members of the executive committee, representatives of Anjuman-iTajiran and chamber members were also present.

Under the project, Rs150 million have been allocated for repair of roads and sidewalks, Rs30 million for beautification of markets, Rs120 million for laying underground cables and Rs25 million for construction of parking areas. Work has started on Adamjee Road where a sewage line is being laid.

The RCB and CCB officials gave a presentation on the development projects which were carried out in 2020. They informed the participants that the repair and widening work on Harley Street had been completed at a cost of Rs105 million.

The repair and renovation of Caltex Road has been completed at a cost of Rs57 million and Rs35 million have been spent on the development of Lal Kurti Bazaar where drainage lines have been laid. Moreover, encroachment on nullahs have been removed and tuff tiles placed to make access to the food street.

A project worth Rs45 million has been launched for Jhanda Chichi, which includes cleaning of drains, repair of roads, construction of greenbelts and sidewalks.

Development work is also being carried out in Katcheri Chowk, Sarwar Chowk, Sarwar Park and Defence Chowk.

RCCI President Mohammad Nasir Mirza has welcomed the Rs325 million development project, saying it would improve the condition of the main commercial hub in cantonment area.

He said the RCCI would extend full cooperation and support for the Shining Saddar project.

`Station commander and CEO cantonment board`s efforts for energising the environment for the business community are highly laudable,` he said.

Group leader Sohail Altaf said the cantonment authorities were taking a number of steps for the development and beautification of the area.