Infrastructure development: CM inaugurates Kahna-Defence Bridge

This is the first bridge to be built partially with private money

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated a flyover built over the Kahna Kacha-Defence Road Railway Crossing on Sunday.

The flyover is the first project to be completed under a public-private partnership in the province. The private sector contributed Rs3 billion to the project cost.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the chief minister said that the 1.5 kilometre flyover had been completed in record time. “Rs3 billion saved in the project will be spent on health, education and clean drinking water projects. The public-private partnership model will be promoted in the province,” he said. The CM announced reduction of the flyover toll from Rs35 to Rs30 for private vehicles. He said that residents of the area would be exempt from the toll.

The flyover is 100 feet wide and has two lanes. Some 9,000 vehicles will use it everyday. For pedestrians, footpaths of six feet width have been constructed on both sides of the road. The flyover will benefit motorists using the Defense Road, Multan Road, Raiwind Raod and Ferozepur Road.

Shahbaz Sharif said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) to build the southern loop of the Ring Road. “The project will be completed on August 14, 2017 at the cost of Rs25 billion,” he said. The CM said it was responsibility of contractors to utilise new equipment to complete the projects on time.

“The country is moving towards prosperity. However, a few elements want to stop the process of development. Those who themselves are involved in corruption are now talking about accountability. All those who have deposited corruption money in Swiss Banks will be held accountable,” he said.

DHQ

The chief minister visited the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Nankana Sahib on Sunday.

The CM asked patients in the hospital about the medical facilities being provided to them. He also reviewed wards, the pharmacy, cleanliness and the provision of free medicines to patients. Talking to the chief minister, the patients and their attendants said they were getting free medicines from the hospital. However, they said that the air-conditioners installed at the hospital were not functional. The CM reprimanded the administration.

On the CM’s directives, the DCO and the Health EDO were made officers on special duty (OSD). Action was also sought against the DHQ hospital medical superintendent.

Livestock and Dairy Farming: The CM chaired a meeting to review steps to promote livestock and dairy farming in the province on Sunday.

He said livestock and dairy farming had great importance in the economy of the Punjab. “Poverty can be eliminated by promoting this sector. Steps are being taken to promote livestock and dairy farming in the Punjab,” he said.

Security arrangements: The chief minister on Sunday directed law enforcement agencies to make foolproof security arrangements for the martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali (RA). He said that strict security should be provided on all the routes of the procession.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2016.