FILE PHOTO: Al Bida Park, one of the biggest family park in the country. October 12, 2018. Salim Matramkot © The Peninsula
The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is progressing with implementing the first phase projects of the ‘Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads & Public Places in Qatar’ which targets to increase green areas in Qatar by 240 per cent by 2022 through cultivation of green grasses and plants over 10 million square metres area across the country.
The progress in this regard included some streets in the north of Doha such as Legtaifiya, Buhaira, Onaiza, Al Markhiya streets and parts of Al Waab Street. The beautification of streets such as Al Khafji, Al Jamiaa, Arab League, and others across the whole country is underway.
Details about the projects were given by Ashghal officials and members of the Committee at the opening ceremony of Al Abraj Park in West Bay Area, a project of the Supervisory Committee, yesterday.
The phase one project of beautification comprises the design and execution of a number of projects that include constructing pedestrian and cycle paths, construction and maintenance of green areas and planting trees, development of vital areas, adding artworks throughout the country.
Such works are done under the umbrella of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and in coordination with several ministries and governmental entities in the country including the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Qatar Museums, Qatar Railways Company, the Private Engineering Office and others.
President of Ashghal, Dr Eng. Saad bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi, said: “The Supervisory Committee works in line with the initiative of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment to plant trees. The Committee will coordinate with Ashghal Highway Project Department, Roads Projects Department and the Public Parks Department to plant 10 million square metres of green areas by 2022 through various projects.”
He said that collaboration with local and national tree nurseries such as the Qatar Foundation is also carried out to enable tree planting. “To date, 76km of pedestrian and cycle paths have been completed, and other works such as landscape, trees planting, street furniture, lighting, kiosks are still ongoing. Phase one is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2020,” said Al Mohannadi.
Eng. Mohammed Arqoub Al Khalidi, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee, said: “One of the most important objectives of the Committee is to rehabilitate many areas to be environmentally, pedestrians and cyclists friendly according to Qatar National Vision 2030, thus contributing to the creation of a vibrant and healthy culture that supports the use of bicycles and walking to workplaces, and to shopping and entertainment areas as well as contributing to the increase of a healthier lifestyle and exercise.”
The Committee has also signed a contract for the development of Central Doha, and the development of cycle and pedestrian paths along the Corniche road and Al Khor road. Also, a tender for the design and build of the landscape on Al Majd Road has been issued.
The Supervisory Committee in coordination with MME has also signed a contract for the design of some public parks in several areas in the country.
These parks are Rawdat Al Khail, Al Gharrafa, Um Al Saneem, Rawdat Al Hamama as well as the maintenance of some parks such as Ras Bu Abboud, Al Shamal and Al Wakra Park. The committee also signed a contract with five Contractors to implement some projects with a budget of QR700m. The scope of works includes the construction of pedestrian and cycle paths, landscape, trees, street furniture and lighting, to beautify main and local roads in various parts of the country.
Ashghal, through its Expressways and Local Roads projects as well as through the projects of the Supervisory Committee, will be implementing 2,650km of pedestrian and cycle paths by 2022.
