PM Imran inaugurates Ravi Development Authority project

He said RDA scheme is important for city to address issues including traffic congestion, pollution.

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday inaugurated Ravi Development Authority (RDA) project in Lahore.

Addressing the ceremony in Lahore on Friday, he said that the Ravi Development Authority (RDA) scheme will cost Rs5 trillion and is important for the city to address issues pertaining to traffic congestion, water and environment pollution.

"This project is best for overseas Pakistanis as it will provide them an opportunity for greater investment," he said, and highlighted that the mega scheme will provide job opportunities to youth and will help in wealth creation.

As part of the project, the Punjab government plans to develop a "most modern city" over an area of more than one 100,000 acres near Lahore, he said.

Imran Khan went on to say that incentives have been given to the construction sector and Naya Pakistan Housing Project and promotion of construction sector will also support forty other allied industries. He said a new city equipped with latest facilities will be established near Lahore costing five trillion rupees. There will also be investment of private sector in it.

"It is our utmost effort to kick start work on the new city project at the earliest, the prime minister said and added this is the second biggest project after Islamabad which will create job opportunities and wealth.

Imran said there is a big opportunity for our overseas Pakistanis to invest in this historic project.

Alluding to the problems faced by Lahore due to unplanned settlements, the Prime Minister said vertical buildings will be constructed in the new city in order to ensure that basic amenities reach every person, adding that millions of trees will also be planted in the city to protect the environment.

Earlier today, PM Imran Khan had arrived in Lahore on a day long visit where he met Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar. During the meeting, the premier directed the provincial authorities to speed up work on development projects.

Later, meeting with Punjab Law Minister Muhammad Basharat Raja, PM Imran has asked him to introduce effective legislation in order to expedite the process of development in the province.

The law minister briefed the PM about provincial legislation process.

Imran Khan was accompanied by federal ministers Shibli Faraz, Shafqat Mahmood and Hammad Azhar, Advisor Shahzad Akbar and Chairman Naya Pakistani Housing and Development Authority Lt. General (retired) Anwar Ali.

The prime minister has been scheduled to chair meetings of National Coordination Committee on Housing, Construction and Development and on education reforms in Punjab.

Imran Khan will also address provincial civil servants, including secretaries, commissioners and police officers through video link.

The PM will also inaugurate Ravi Development Authority and address the ceremony.