Infrastructure: Rs23b to be spent on uplift schemes

The schemes would be launched to provide drinking water. A modern sewerage system was being launched.

FAISALABAD:

DCO Noorul Amin Mengal said on Thursday more than Rs23 billion would be spent on various development schemes in the city under the Punjab Urban Development Programme.

“The government has devised a plan to improve the socio-economic status of people,” the DCO said.

He said 17 development schemes had been approved for Faisalabad. These include the construction of Canal Expressway, Jhal Khannuana Chowk underpass and flyover, provision of potable water and improvement of sewage system. Mengal said Rs3.26bn was allocated for these schemes in the budget.

“The Jhal Khannuana underpass and flyover will help lessen traffic problems at one of the busiest intersections in the city.” He said the project would be launched early.

He said more than half of the city’s population had no access to drinking water. “This is resulting in water-borne diseases… underground water in the city is brackish and not fit for consumption,” Mengal said.

He said schemes would be launched to provide drinking water. A modern sewerage system was being launched.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2014.