CM okays Rs15b uplift projects for Rajanpur

Says tourism spots will be developed in the region

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Saturday announced a development package of Rs15 billion for Rajanpur, an underdeveloped district of South Punjab.

During his daylong visit to the area, the chief minister visited several areas of the district and announced a plan to make it a tourism spot. He also met the assembly members, ruling party office-bearers and notables of the areas along with media representatives at Canal Rest House, Rajanpur. Buzdar also visited the shrine of Khawaja Ghulam Fareed in Kot Mithan and laid a floral wreath. While talking on the occasion, he said he had come to Rajanpur with a mega development package under which dozens of projects in different sectors would be completed at a cost of Rs15 billion in the next two years.

He termed the setting up of a Mother and Child Hospital a gift for the people of Rajanpur district, which will be completed with an amount of Rs8 billion. The CM also inaugurated and laid foundation stones of seven development projects that will cost more than Rs1 billion.

Buzdar also announced a plan to establish a university for the youth of Rajanpur, which will be completed with a cost of Rs1 billion.

Similarly, the development package includes Girls Degree College Rojhan, a trauma centre in the DHQ hospital, Rescue 1122 centres in Fazilpur and Kot Mitthan as well as upgrade of rural health centres in Dajal and Fazilpur.

He said sewerage problems of Rajanpur would also be solved besides laying of tiles in the central bazaars of the city.

Construction of a dual carriageway road from Jampur to Kashmore at a cost of Rs14 billion will prove to be a game changer in the development and progress of the area, the chief minister said. Work on the project will be started in April, he added. He said a substantial amount has been allocated for the repair, construction and expansion of different important roads of Rajanpur district. About Rs250 million will be spent for the construction and expansion of a 25km road from Indus Highway Dera Gujar to Basti Ayyub and Amin Chowk.

Similarly, Rs350 million will be spent for the construction of a 20-km-long road from Muhammadpur to Dajal, Rs250 million for the construction of 30km road from Kumbhi to Maripur, Rs300 million for the construction a 28km road from Rajanpur to Hajipur, Rs110 million for a 9km road from Fazilpur to Sukhaniwala, Rs200 million for the 9km-long Rojhan City Road, Rs543 million for the construction and repair of the 23km road from Dajal to Harand. Construction and repair of a 20km road from Sekhaniwala to Kotla Sher Muhammad via Harraiwala will be carried out with a cost of Rs280 million.

“I am determined to make Rajanpur city beautiful and a development scheme will be launched with a huge amount for its beautification, while 10 basic healthcare centres and 20 schools will be established besides setting up a hospital and a university in Rajanpur,” he said.

“Marri tribal area will be turned into a hub for tourism and a special package of Rs500 million will be given for this purpose.”

Development and progress of backward areas of Rajanpur is now in the top priority of the government. “As many as 804 development projects are near completion in Rajanpur, which will be completed at a cost of Rs20 billion,” he added.