RIYADH: Prince Sattam, chairman of the Higher Commission for the Development of Riyadh (HCDR), chaired a meeting Tuesday with the higher executive committee of projects for planning at the commission in Riyadh.
Ibrahim bin Mohammad Al-Sultan, chief of the center ofprojects and planning at the HCDR, said the meeting discussed many topics, suchas the development plan for Riyadh.
The meeting also discussed the procedures taken to face thephenomena of slums in Riyadh, and awarding contracts for work on some roads inthe capital like King Abdullah West Road, intersection tunnel of Makkah Road with Salahuddin Road and the intersection of the eastern circular road with Urobah Road.
Al-Sultan said the organizational plan included theestablishment of mosques, schools, universities, hospitals, Red Crescentcenters, police and traffic stations, Passports Department offices and postoffices, as well as entertainment, cultural and social services in the city.
This plan aims to raise the level of services in Riyadh andestablish a reference point for any development in the city. The commissionfinished the preparation of this plan with the support of 15 government departments. The plan studied current situations in Riyadh and ways for futurework. The plan estimated the future needs regarding public services in thecity.
The meeting decided to form an executive committee comprising representatives from 11 government departments for the UrbanObservatory in Riyadh.
The plan studied prospects for developing the 205 sq kmnorthern suburbs of Riyadh. This development plan for the suburb includes roadnetworks, housing and park schemes.
It includes the establishment of the Prince Salman Parkbeside the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Humanitarian City, and the "Durrat ArRiyadh" project, covering an area of 10 sq km. The Ministry of Housing has prepared studies and designs for the housing project in the western side ofKing Khalid Airport that will provide 7,130 homes on the land owned by theairport.
The commission agreed on a series of procedures that aimedto minimize slums in Riyadh city.
The commission also agreed to award a contract to Al-Mabani General Contacting company to implement the development of the western part ofKing Abdullah Road within 36 months, Al-Sultan said.
The project includes the construction of three lanes for the main road in each direction, preparation of the road to accommodate theelectric train project, implementation of the crossing point between King Abdullah and King Khalid roads, implementation of a tunnel at the entrance ofKing Saud University, plus erection of a series of service networks related tothe project such as electricity, water, flood drainage systems, securitysystems, control systems and other related work.
The commission signed a contract with Al-Fahad Trading,Industry and Contracting Company to build the intersection of Makkah Road withSalah Al-Deen. The project will take 30 months to finish.
The project contains a series of work including extending Salah Al-Deen Ayubi Road to 1,500 meters with six lanes in each direction,implementation of a 750-meter tunnel of three lanes, U-turn points along thetunnel, and service networks such as water, electricity and flood drainagesystems.
The meeting agreed to award a 15-month contract to Al-MabaniGeneral Contacting company to carry out work on a bridge crossing the intersection of the Eastern Ring Road with Oroba Road.
The commission endorsed the awarding of a contract to theUnited Company for Maintenance and Contacting for an environmentalrehabilitation project in the Wabir and Mahdiya Valleys in Riyadh. It has adeadline of 24 months. This project falls within the Wadi Hanifa developmentprogram.
In addition, the commission approved the awarding of acontract to Badan Agriculture and Contracting Company to implement an environmental rehabilitation project for Hair Lakes in Riyadh region. The project includes clearance, waste disposal, organization of irrigation channels and implementation of local roads for farmers in addition to the environmental processing of the lakes. The commission endorsed a contract for a project todecrease the level of groundwater at King Abdulaziz Quarter.
The meeting discussed new mechanisms to improve theinfrastructure and public services in the city and better coordination withother government departments to make Riyadh one of the most modern cities inthe world.
© Arab News 2012
