Under the supervision of the Local Government Department, development work has been started in 51 cities under the “Maryam Nawaz Ka Sohna Punjab” program.
Work starts in 51 cities under Punjab Development Program
LAHORE, Apr 03 (APP): Under the supervision of the Local Government Department, development work has been started in 51 cities under the “Maryam Nawaz Ka Sohna Punjab” program.
Excavation for the construction of 358 roadside underground storage tanks (UGST) has been completed at most places.
These details were revealed during a review meeting on Punjab Development Program (PDP) chaired by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique.
Project Director PDP Ahmer Sohail Kaifi briefed on the progress so far. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul, Secretary Local Government Board Tariq Faruka and concerned Assistant Project Directors attended the meeting through video link.
Minister Local Government Zeeshan Rafique said that the main focus of the PDP is to minimize the risks of urban flooding. As many as 34 underground water recharge wells will store 32 million gallons of water, while roads UGSTs will have the capacity to collect 62 million gallons of rainwater, he observed.
He said that pavement and installation of street lights will also be done. The Local Government Department will complete municipal services schemes in 51 cities. For the first time, master planning has been done for 200 cities of Punjab.
The Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) has prepared a huge database, he added. He said that all the planning has been done keeping in mind the population of the next 25 years.
Zeeshan Rafique said that on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, projects will also be started in other cities in the next phase.
“Sewerage schemes will be started as soon as the lining pipe plants are installed”, he pledged. He said that Rs 25 billion has been saved through transparent e-tendering, which will be spent on the same program. Under the PDP, he went on, 56 new disposal stations will be built while 61 existing stations will be restored.
All disposal stations will be solarized too. Referring to the ongoing rains in various areas, the provincial minister also directed to take necessary safety measures at all sites.
