PM Imran Approves Leh Expressway Project

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has approved the Rs. 65 billion Leh Expressway and Flood Channel project, which will be completed under a public-private partnership.

The decision was reached at a meeting that took place yesterday under the leadership of the PM himself and was attended by Federal Minister for Interior, Sheikh Rashid, and other relevant government personnel. Punjab Chief Minister’s Special Assistant, Dr. Salman Shah, and Punjab Chief Secretary, Jawad Rafiq, joined the meeting through a video link.

The PM commented that the project is crucial as it will end traffic congestion in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and the flood channel will also avert the risk of flood in the city during the monsoon. It was also highlighted in the meeting that the project shall be completed in two years.

ALSO READ

Police Arrests the Owner of the Porsche Dealership in Lahore

While directing the immediate commencement of the project, PM also instructed the relevant personnel to complete the zoning of the concerned areas and make amendments in the relevant bylaws to begin the construction of multi-story buildings on both sides of the main thoroughfare.

Minister of Interior, Sheikh Rashid, added that project work would kick off next month, with an initial investment of Rs. 30 billion. The Commissioner, Captain (Retired) Mohammad Mehmood, further added that the PM wishes to attract investors and derive commercial benefit from the project.

It was also highlighted that 1,604 houses are built on the same land where the Leh Expressway is to be built. Furthermore, there are 1,279 kanals of land, that is to be acquired for the project, which includes 1,035.9 kanals of private land, 132.4 kanals owned by Military Engineering and Works, 54.7 kanals owned by Chaklala Cantonment Board, and 56 kanals owned by Rawalpindi Cantonment Board.