Govt approves intermediate cities project
Aim is to ensure that living standards in selected areas are uplifted
PHOTO: REPRESENTATIONAL
LAHORE:
The provincial government has approved Rs329.71 million for the operational design and business model of the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Programme (PICIP). The aim is to uplift the living standards of residents living in the selected cities of the province.
The Punjab Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) approved two development schemes of the local government sector in the 16th meeting of the current Fiscal Year 2019-20. The meeting was chaired by acting Planning and Development (P&D) Board Chairman Imran Sikandar Baloch. Members of the P&D board, provincial secretaries of provincial departments concerned and other senior representatives attended the meeting.
The meeting approved development schemes included the Operational Design and Business Model (ODBM) Consultant for Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Program (PC-II) at a cost of Rs329.71 million and Project Readiness Financing (PRF) for Punjab Provincial Projects (PC-II) at a cost of Rs16.53 million.
RDA demolishes illegal site office of housing scheme
The program will transform intermediate cities into urban centers, which are more efficient, accountable and serve as an engine of economic growth as well as sustainable development. To achieve the objectives of the programme, special attention will be paid to address urban development challenges at the city level, including integrated planning, improved institutional framework for urban services, strengthened business processes of utilities and improved urban infrastructure and services.
As per programme documentation, the provincial government has a vision to upgrade infrastructure and connectivity for intermediate cities to enable faster economic growth and higher productivity. The objective revolves around inclusive growth and sustained quality of life for citizens. “The province has an ample potential for development of cities as a hub for development and sustainable growth,” the documentation read.
The Punjab urban economic growth strategy argues for cities being more efficient and competitive by virtue of strengthening the role of the government as policymaker and regulator. The role of the private sector in developing infrastructure and providing services has also advanced the essential need for an enabling business environment. The project also foresees competent service delivery of institutions, through professional management and incentivised performance, as major contributors to enhancing the efficiency of smart cities.
The documents further read that the government is focused on the development of cities as livable and vibrant hubs contributing to economic growth through good governance and institutional reform programmes.
Highest demand for Naya Pakistan houses comes from Islamabad
Six large cities have been selected for the program, including Sialkot (Phase-1), Sahiwal, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Muzaffargar (Phase-II). The programme scope includes upgrading of public spaces like parks and greenbelts. It also involves the fencing and development of jogging tracks, parking areas, sports grounds, cafeterias, theatres and toilets.
It also includes efficient solid waste management schemes which will be enabled by setting up landfill sites. Other initiatives are the upgrade of city streets, installation of water meters, SCADA systems, postpaid metres and replacement of pipes, provision of sewage management equipment, sewage treatment plant and revamping of bus terminals.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2019.
The provincial government has approved Rs329.71 million for the operational design and business model of the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Programme (PICIP). The aim is to uplift the living standards of residents living in the selected cities of the province.
The Punjab Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) approved two development schemes of the local government sector in the 16th meeting of the current Fiscal Year 2019-20. The meeting was chaired by acting Planning and Development (P&D) Board Chairman Imran Sikandar Baloch. Members of the P&D board, provincial secretaries of provincial departments concerned and other senior representatives attended the meeting.
The meeting approved development schemes included the Operational Design and Business Model (ODBM) Consultant for Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Program (PC-II) at a cost of Rs329.71 million and Project Readiness Financing (PRF) for Punjab Provincial Projects (PC-II) at a cost of Rs16.53 million.
RDA demolishes illegal site office of housing scheme
The program will transform intermediate cities into urban centers, which are more efficient, accountable and serve as an engine of economic growth as well as sustainable development. To achieve the objectives of the programme, special attention will be paid to address urban development challenges at the city level, including integrated planning, improved institutional framework for urban services, strengthened business processes of utilities and improved urban infrastructure and services.
As per programme documentation, the provincial government has a vision to upgrade infrastructure and connectivity for intermediate cities to enable faster economic growth and higher productivity. The objective revolves around inclusive growth and sustained quality of life for citizens. “The province has an ample potential for development of cities as a hub for development and sustainable growth,” the documentation read.
The Punjab urban economic growth strategy argues for cities being more efficient and competitive by virtue of strengthening the role of the government as policymaker and regulator. The role of the private sector in developing infrastructure and providing services has also advanced the essential need for an enabling business environment. The project also foresees competent service delivery of institutions, through professional management and incentivised performance, as major contributors to enhancing the efficiency of smart cities.
The documents further read that the government is focused on the development of cities as livable and vibrant hubs contributing to economic growth through good governance and institutional reform programmes.
Highest demand for Naya Pakistan houses comes from Islamabad
Six large cities have been selected for the program, including Sialkot (Phase-1), Sahiwal, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Muzaffargar (Phase-II). The programme scope includes upgrading of public spaces like parks and greenbelts. It also involves the fencing and development of jogging tracks, parking areas, sports grounds, cafeterias, theatres and toilets.
It also includes efficient solid waste management schemes which will be enabled by setting up landfill sites. Other initiatives are the upgrade of city streets, installation of water meters, SCADA systems, postpaid metres and replacement of pipes, provision of sewage management equipment, sewage treatment plant and revamping of bus terminals.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2019.