51 water storage tanks constructed, 49 in final stage, Zeeshan Rafique

LAHORE, Jul 01 (APP): Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique has said that 49 percent of the 105 water storage tanks under the supervision of the Local Government Department under the Punjab Development Program (PDP) have been completed. So far, 51 storage tanks have been constructed while the construction of 46 is in the final stages.

He was speaking at a review meeting held at the Civil Secretariat. Secretary Local Government Punjab Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Additional Secretary Mehreen Faheem Abbasi also attended.

Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique said that the Punjab government has entrusted the responsibility of development schemes for a total of 52 cities to the Local Government Department. “Under the “Maryam Nawaz’s Sohna (beautiful) Punjab” program, 27 out of 114 drains have been constructed. “The construction of 30 drains is in the final stages while 50 percent of the work of 57 drains has been completed”, he noted.

The provincial minister stressed on taking 100 percent care of safety measures in view of the arrival of the rainy season urging that the drain that is completed should be connected to the underground tank immediately. He said that the water storage tank project is important to prevent urban flooding. “More funds have been allocated in the new fiscal year budget for the PDP. In addition to the sewage system, schemes for paving unpaved streets are also included”, he went on. He added that there will be phased installation of street lights and construction and repair of parks in the relevant cities. “Efforts are being made to meet the construction target before the regular onset of monsoon”, he pledged. Zeeshan Rafique said that the provision of necessary machinery to the cities included in the PDP has almost been completed. “The availability of dewatering sets, de-silting and suction machines has been ensured”, he observed.