RDA approves Rs3.52bn annual budget

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) approved an annual budget of worth Rs3.520 billion for the authority and a budget of Rs2.059 billion of Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA).

The budget was presented by RDA Director General Amara Khan in the 48th meeting of the authority, presided by RDA Chairman Tariq Mehmood Murtaza.

A sum of Rs2.395 billion was allocated for the development work, out of the total budget.

In a bid to provide maximum civic facilities to the citizens, the meeting approved various initiatives including an auction of lease rights of the RDA own properties regulation 2020, amendment in regulation 2.5 (A) VI of building and zoning regulations 2020 dealing with apartment buildings, informed RDA Chairman.

To further transform the city and alleviate the existing traffic issues, the authority also deliberated on the plans to develop special economic zones (SEZs) that will comprise industrial, educational, recreational, medical health, residential and aerotropolis sectors, located along the Ring Road.

A proposed alignment of the 65.8km long Ring Road, starting at Radio Pakistan Rawat and ending at Sangjani, was also accorded in the meeting.

The civic authority also scheduled monthly meetings and added to the agenda, to review policies and address issues.

The authority further granted approval for the deficit budget worth Rs2.059 billion of Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA).

The proposal was presented by WASA Managing Director Raja Shaukat Mehmood.

The total expected income was estimated at Rs1.589 billion, whereas the cost of the expenditure was estimated at Rs3.649 billion.

Out of the total budget, a higher portion of funds was allocated to improve the water supply network, electricity bills, improvement of sewerage lines etc.

MPA (PP-6) Maj (Retd) Mohammad Latasab Satti, MPA (W-301) Nasreen Tariq,  RDA Chief Engineer Aamir Rashid, Director Admin and Finance Khalid Javed Goraya, representatives of Finance Department, local government department and other various relevant officials were among the attendees of the meeting.

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