RAWALPINDI, Jul 15 (APP):Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Monday said the government would lay foundation stone of Lai Expressway soon as all the arrangements were being finalized to start construction work of the much awaited project as soon as possible.
Talking to media persons here during his visit to Gawalmandi, he said the work was accelerated by the incumbent government to kick off Lai Expressway project but due to negligence of the former rulers, cost of the project had jumped to Rs 70 billion which was around Rs 18 billion when conceived. The project would be constructed on Build-Operate-Transfer basis, he added.
He said, the 23 Expressway would start from the Soan Bridge instead of Ammar Chowk in Chaklala to facilitate maximum population, adding the project would change fate of the citizens particularly living along the Lai Nullah as the citizens would be allowed to construct commercial buildings along the road.
He said, the authorities concerned had devised a plan for preventing flood in Nullah Lai during monsoon season.
