CDA developing landmark lake-side picnic spot
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—The Capital Development Authority plans to expand the area of the Rawal Lake Promenade currently under development, a CDA official said Tuesday.
Additional 75 acres will be added increasing the area to 100 acres, said Director Special Projects Sanaullah Aman. “The addition is being made to make the recreational facility one of the best in the country,” he said.
The project is to be completed in three phases, with the first on 25 acres near to completion, Aman said. The salient features of the work in phase two due to begin next year include a motorbike and car track, facility for ice- skating and beach volleyball, besides a develop a mini golf course, a riding club, a theme park, a bird sanctuary, a food mall, a wood land and a dancing musical fountain.
Aman said the picnic spot would be an attractive place for tourists who would get there quality food and be able to enjoy festivals and sports competitions. “It will further improve the look of Islamabad - The Beautiful,” he said. In the final phase, the CDA will focus on the areas adjoining to the promenade to spruce up the green belt without engaging in any construction work. Tracks will be provided for people to stroll under the shade of trees, Aman said.
“We are paying particular attention to avoid any ill effect on the environment,” the official said. Inauguration of the first part of the Rawal Lake promenade will take place on January 30, marking a New Year gift to the residents of the capital, he added. The cost of the phase has risen to Rs 180 million from the original estimates as an additional amount of Rs 70 million had to be spent on civil works.
A private designer-cum-contractor, Mansoor-Zaman Associates, is carrying out development work in the first phase of the project, which includes a children play area, festival enclosure, a pony ride track, a boating jetty and a sandy beach.