Senior minister orders construction of inter-district roads in Punjab

Asserts rural areas were ignored by previous governments

LAHORE: Punjab Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has ordered the construction of 14 inter-district roads during the current fiscal year on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) model of public-private partnership. Presiding over a high-level meeting, Aleem ordered that practical steps be taken for infrastructure development in far flung areas. He asked officials concerned to ensure international standards of construction in which a 24 foot concrete belt be left on the both sides of these two-way roads.

He said the maximum number of trees should also be planted along with green belts of these roads so that a clean and green program could also be followed. The senior minister directed the provincial Communication and Works Department secretary to take immediate steps in this regard and start the tendering process of these inter district roads. He highlighted that in the past, the districts were neglected for unknown reasons and the masses faced
big trouble on a daily basis. Keeping in view the complaints and feedback from elected representatives, these roads have been given priority in the Annual Development Program 2018-19.



Roads that will be constricted are located in districts Sargodha, Chiniot, Vehari, Chakwal, Jhang, Mianwali, Muzafargarh, Khanewal, Faisalabad and Khushab. New roads will also be constructed in Kabirwala, Burewala, Depalpur and Sumandari tehsils. Construction of interchanges among these districts would also be included in the projects. The senior minister directed authorities to ensure that at least 10 districts should be included for the construction of new roads in every financial year. He added this would benefit people from difficult to access areas and provide them with better communication facilities.