New Infrastructure Development in Islamabad and Rawalpindi

New Infrastructure Development in Islamabad and Rawalpindi

By Zahaab Rehman

Introduction:

The twin cities have undergone multiple infrastructural changes in the past few years. You’ll always find something new under construction - development is consistent, whether it’s a new mall or another avenue. This makes a lot of sense when we consider the history of Islamabad - a city recently built just a few decades ago, awarded as the capital of the country. In this article, we’ll look at the recent infrastructural changes in the twin cities and how they contribute to the development of the area

History of Infrastructure:

The city intended to become the capital of Pakistan was planned with a carefully structured master plan since its inception. All over the world, it is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in existence. Whether it’s iconic government buildings or beautiful highways, the infrastructure of Islamabad is truly a masterpiece. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) constantly comes up with new projects to add to the infrastructural development of the capital. But none of this means that Rawalpindi is any less. Despite the conventional view of Rawalpindi as one of our traditional, overcrowded cities, the city has much more to offer. If Islamabad is the city of modern infrastructure, Rawalpindi might just be the city of hidden gems.
Rawalpindi is the perfect place for those with a knack for history and culture. Full of the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the city hosts some of the oldest historical architecture that invites many people to visit it yearly. The craftsmanship and interior design that one can witness in this city continue to inspire architects all around. It is truly one of a kind.

Newer Developments:

In the capital specifically, the focus has been mainly on building better and safer road systems - something which Pakistanis from all over the country can testify to. From building a state-of-the-art road safety system to introducing advanced public transport projects, the city has revolutionized the country's transit industry. In addition to the formation of a system benefitting the citizens, these developments have also massively added to the real estate value of the capital. The Metro Bus system, Orange Train, and the five new interchanges are some of the most notable changes in the city in this regard specifically.
When it comes to Rawalpindi, the city can now also boast of better transit infrastructure, with new projects such as the Ring Road, the construction of which started back in March 2022. This has been one of the most long-awaited projects regarding the infrastructure of the twin cities, and once it truly reaches its completion, it will definitely be a sight to behold.
The former prime minister was adamant about changing the infrastructure for the twin cities and allocating significant funds for mega infrastructural projects in the city. Not all of those projects have yet been completed, but we can all agree that the twin cities' future looks bright regarding the infrastructural aspect.

Hurdles:

While we’re on the topic of infrastructure, it also seems fit to take a look at the hurdles that usually accompany the journey for these projects. One of the biggest problems when it comes to developing infrastructure in Pakistan is the instability of the government regimes, along with the negligence of the concerned authorities. Take this for example: the Rawalpindi ring road project was initiated in 1991, but it is only being constructed now. What are the causes behind this delay that has plagued almost every infrastructural project in the twin cities? Sometimes the authorities involved are slow and negligent; other times, it's due to the consistent changing of governments and local administrations. All in all, the efficiency of these projects have a lot of room to be improved if we start focusing on the hurdles we can remove.

Benefits:

Well-designed infrastructure can cause a massive boom in development, working wonders for the city it is situated in. It boosts the regional economy, creating better business opportunities and a higher number of jobs. The spillover effect is also seen in the form of increased Gross Domestic Product and higher tax revenue from the area. Moreover, infrastructure projects open the room for more public-private partnerships, an avenue with several benefits in itself. Lastly, the aesthetics of the infrastructure currently being set up in the twin cities also add to the city's beautification.

Ethical Considerations:

While we have had a detailed conversation on why infrastructure projects are beneficial for a city’s economy and development, it is also essential to keep in view the ethical considerations that come along with such growth. Firstly, the carbon footprint increased by these constructions can not be denied; the real estate industry is one of the country's highest contributors to carbon emissions. In order to resolve this problem, there needs to be an effort to bring about sustainable materials and methods of production and construction.
Another critical factor here is the side effects that often accompany the construction of projects such as housing schemes and road systems. Consider the example of Tenth Avenue from Islamabad, which came under massive controversy for being built through a Christian slum colony. In such situations, the people of such settlements are never consulted before the project's construction. They are often left with a meager amount of money that can barely cover their expenses. The larger debate on the topic of development comes into play here: certain factions of society should not have to bear the brunt of the development for other sections. In the race to develop the twin cities more and more, we should not be treading on the area's residents.

Final Words:

All in all, the twin cities have seen several worthwhile infrastructure projects in the past few years that will contribute extensively to the development of the cities. However, more focus still needs to be placed on the hurdles these projects face, along with an emphasis on their ethical considerations. A good project is always sustainable, and that is what we should aim for.

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