Gwadar Development Authority details two decades of projects in roads, water and coastal protection

GWADAR: Under the development vision of the Balochistan government, the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) has carried out significant work in several sectors over the past two decades and more. The work covers the city’s development, modern urban planning and the provision of basic facilities. The projects include the construction and rehabilitation of roads, water supply, sewerage and drainage, sports grounds, parks, government buildings, coastal protection, fisheries facilities, restoration of heritage sites, Tree Plantation and street lighting.

Road, water and drainage projects

Under the provincial government’s development vision, Gwadar’s projects include the construction and development of about 253 kilometres of roads. They also include the construction and rehabilitation of 23 kilometres of roads and streets, 300 kilometres of water distribution lines and 150 kilometres of main water transmission lines. The infrastructure also includes four large underground tanks with a total capacity of 10 million gallons, eight small water tanks and 12 water pumping stations of various sizes.

For urban sanitation and drainage, the projects include about 30 kilometres of sewerage lines, 23 kilometres of drainage lines and sewerage treatment plants.

Sports, culture and coastal protection

Sports and recreation facilities include one Cricket stadium, two Football stadiums, two Football grounds, one sports complex, two futsal grounds, one volleyball ground and three large parks. To protect the historical and cultural identity of Gwadar, the Old Town has been restored. Measures have also been taken to protect historical sites, including the Omani Fort and the Portuguese watchtower.

On coastal protection, the authority has built breakwaters and protective embankments at Demi Zer and Padi Zer. It has also built and developed fish landing jetties at Pishukan and Sur Bandar.

Public facilities and urban infrastructure

In the area of public facilities, the provincial government’s projects include the GDA office complex, the GDA hospital, the GDA school, the Gwadar Institute of Technology and a basic health unit. They also include the improvement of schools, the restoration of bazaars and markets, the improvement of boundary walls of graveyards, and the construction and beautification of highways, squares and monuments. Tree Plantation, the improvement of green areas, and street lights and solar lighting on Marine Drive, Ustad Abdul Majeed Gwadari Road and Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi Avenue have also been carried out.

These activities reflect continuing efforts to improve basic urban infrastructure, expand public facilities and build a modern coastal city. Under the Balochistan government’s development vision, the effective completion, maintenance and further expansion of these projects can play an important role in Gwadar’s lasting development, the promotion of economic activity and the improvement of citizens’ quality of life.