Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has directed the relevant departments to accelerate development projects in Peshawar, improve traffic management and ensure the timely completion of ongoing schemes under the Peshawar Master Development Plan.
The directives were issued during a meeting chaired by the governor to review the plan’s 100-day and 180-day targets. Adviser on Finance Asif Mahmood Pasha, Adviser on Local Government Asif Rafiq, the chief secretary and other relevant officials attended the meeting.
Officials briefed the meeting on several priority projects, including the completion of Phase I and II of the Ring Road missing links, the construction of underpasses, and improvements to street lighting, electric poles and underground cabling.
The meeting was informed that three underpasses had been completed in Peshawar, while the underpasses at Pushtakhara and Jamil Chowk would be completed soon. Work on installing and rehabilitating electric poles, street lighting and cabling along the Ring Road and GT Road is also underway at a cost of Rs500 million.
The governor was also briefed on plans to rehabilitate, upgrade and construct 35 major roads in the city. Work is underway on Level II of the Pir Zakori Flyover and the expansion of Nasir Bagh Road. Consultants have also been hired for underpass projects on University Road, Ram Das Chungi and Lahori Chowk Phase I.
Kundi directed officials to prioritise the resurfacing of University Road and complete all ongoing development projects within their stipulated timelines. He also called for a feasibility study for an underpass on Kohat Road.
New Peshawar bus terminal to be operational soon
Officials told the meeting that the New Peshawar Bus Terminal, spread over 323 kanals, would be made operational soon under a public-private partnership model.
The meeting also discussed proposals to develop shopping malls or flats at old bus terminals. Officials said debris from areas cleared during anti-encroachment operations would be removed within two days. The participants also discussed landscaping, grass plantation and the development of public spaces on the cleared land.
The governor directed authorities to beautify Peshawar’s canal roads with modern lighting and decorative features similar to those in Lahore. He also called for improvements to streetlights, electric poles and other basic facilities, particularly at locations frequented by tourists.
Traffic congestion, rickshaw registration under discussion
Traffic congestion and its underlying causes were also discussed during the meeting. Officials identified problems on Dalazak Road, Charsadda Road and Circular Road, where the construction of central medians has contributed to traffic difficulties.
The meeting was informed that no rickshaws or Qingqi vehicles had been registered since 2016 because of the absence of relevant legislation.
Kundi stressed the need for immediate legislation to facilitate the registration of Qingqi rickshaws and other related matters. He directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of traffic laws, take effective action against violations and launch public awareness campaigns on road safety.
He also called for consultations with traffic police before the construction of proposed underpasses and directed the relevant departments to establish a joint working group to address congestion at major traffic hotspots.
The meeting further reviewed the proposed electronic challan system and development issues related to Regi Model Town.
Underground cabling and urban improvement
The governor directed the authorities to work on shifting electricity wires underground across Peshawar, saying the move would also help curb electricity theft.
Officials informed the meeting that the feasibility study and design had been completed for shifting overhead electricity wires underground from Pir Zakori Flyover to Aman Chowk and Karkhano Market.
Kundi emphasised that public spaces cleared during anti-encroachment operations should be converted into attractive, usable areas for citizens. He also directed officials to take immediate steps to improve tourist destinations and ensure that development projects deliver practical benefits to residents.
He said legislation and administrative measures needed to address public problems should not be delayed.
