Rawalpindi-The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has expressed great concerns on delay in construction work of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project. 
A delegation of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce led by President Nadeem Rauf called on Chairman RDA Tariq Mehmood Murtaza here on Friday and shared the concern of the business community. Chairman RDA informed the delegation about the progress of the ongoing development projects on Rawalpindi Ring Road and Leh Expressway. 
President Chamber Nadeem Rauf emphasized that the Ring Road project, which was also inaugurated by the prime minister, should not be delayed anymore and immediate work should be started on the industrial zones around the Ring Road. He said that the Chamber and the business community are deeply concerned about the delay of work of these key projects. The business community of Rawalpindi believed that the Ring Road project would be a game changer for Rawalpindi, adding, it was an important project for the development of Rawalpindi. 
The project of widening Katcheri Chowk was also approved in the budget but the work could not be started yet. The delegation also met DG RDA Saif Anwar Jappa and gave a briefing on development projects. 
Group Leader Sohail Altaf, Senior Vice President Asim Malik, Vice President Talat Awan and newly elected office bearers Saqib Rafiq President and Faisal Shehzad Vice President were also present in the meeting. 
According to a spokesman of RDA, a delegation led by the President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce (RCCI) Nadeem Rauf and newly elected President Saqib Rafique met the Chairman RDA Tariq Mehmood Murtaza and the Director General RDA Muhammad Saif Anwar Jappa.
On this occasion, President RCCI appreciated the renovation work of Gymkhana Rawalpindi under the leadership of the DG RDA Muhammad Saif Anwar Jappa and also appreciated the work of GT Road, Rashid Minhas Road (Mayo Road) Rawalpindi. In the meeting, the progress of the city development projects, especially the Rawalpindi Ring Road and Lai Expressway project were discussed.
President RCCI requested the DG RDA regarding the Ring Road and said that this project is an important development project of the city and the business community considers it as a game-changer. 
The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president also emphasized that the establishment of industrial and economic zones around the Ring Road would help generate income, employment and business opportunities in the area.
Chairman RDA Tariq Mehmood Murtaza told the delegation that the work on Ring Road project and Leh Expressway project will be started very soon. The President RCCI Nadeem Rauf emphasized that the Ring Road project should not be delayed anymore and immediate work should be started on the industrial zones around the ring road.
DG RDA Muhammad Saif Anwar Jappa said that a consultancy firm has been hired for the Ring Road project and it will be started soon. He said that the city has become densely populated. The shift of goods transportation, company warehouses and general bus stands over the Ring Road will limit the entry of heavy traffic into the city.
Along with this, shifting of cottage industry, furniture, shoe market, and bazaars will also reduce the pressure on the city’s traffic and connectivity infrastructure.
DG RDA further said that the suggestions of RCCI will be incorporated for the development and beautification of the city. 
He assured that the RDA is coming up with a comprehensive and long-term plan to eradicate encroachments from the city permanently as the markets of the city are full of encroachments, and the Ring Road will be inaugurated very soon.