Rawalpindi: RDA approves road network for new airport

[Naveed Yaseen]

Saeed Ahmed
Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Tuesday approved the road network for the new Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA).

The officials in the RDA told ‘The News’ that task has been assigned to the National Highway Authority (NHA) for providing a safe, efficient, time saving and congestion-free access to the new airport.

NHA chairman briefed the participants on the routes and the topographic constraints of the land. The viability of straightening the access route between the Zero Point Interchange and the VVIP entrance point of BBIA was also discussed. It was concluded in the meeting that the most suitable route catering for the VVIP, normal traffic and cargo traffic be recommended and deviations in the newly proposed route with reference to the Rawalpindi Master Plan, if any, may be got condoned and modified accordingly after seeking approval from the RDA.

The NHA had submitted recommendations of design consultants on the road network in July, this year. According to the NHA recommendations, the road length has been reduced by over 650 meters, the construction cost reduced considerably, number of crossings over natural drainage channels reduced, travel time has been reduced as compared to other routes and it eliminates the sharp turn near the VVIP entrance and provides straight access route to BBIA from the Motorway.

RDA Director General Makeen Shahbaz after reviewing the recommendations of NHA has approved the project for implementation.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=195033