Sargodha, Chiniot get Rs17b projects

CM says both districts were ignored in past development schemes

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has announced Rs17.6 billion projects for Chiniot and Sargodha under the District Development Programme (DDP).

During a visit to the districts on Tuesday, Buzdar also inaugurated development schemes costing billions of rupees and laid foundation stones of public welfare projects, including four road projects in Chiniot of Rs437 million.

He inaugurated development projects worth Rs623 million in Sargodha and laid the foundation stones of four schemes worth Rs1.21 billion.

He also planted saplings and issued instructions for early completion of the Faisalabad-Chiniot-Sargodha road project with an estimated cost of Rs12.7 billion. He announced construction of the Chiniot section of the road with a cost of Rs4.5 billion.

The chief minister announced new development projects of Rs5.6 billion for Chiniot.

He inaugurated four projects of construction of 45-kilometre farm-to-market roads costing Rs437 milion in Chiniot. The foundation stones of two other road projects were also laid. The roads will be built at a cost of Rs853.1 million.

Five projects of construction of 43.5km roads will be completed under the Rural Accessibility Programme (RAP) phase-II.

The chief minister also laid the foundation stone of the Bhawana Tehsil Headquarters

Hospital.

Talking to the media, he announced new development projects of Rs5.6 billion for Chiniot along with the construction of the Faisalabad-Chiniot-Sargodha road section costing Rs5.5 billion. Under the development package, 12 major projects will be completed, including six road and two each schemes of health, education, disposal of water and police lines. The 250-bed THQ hospital, district complex and police lines will be established in Chiniot and the development package also includes many other projects relating to construction and repair of roads, drainage and supply of water, he added.

A feasibility report will be prepared for a boys college in Lalian and girls degree college in Bhawana, while the 67km Faisalabad-Chiniot-Sargodha road will be constructed with Rs12.7 billion. The road will be constructed through public-private partnership and the part of the road passing through Chiniot will cost Rs5.5 billion.

The chief minister said efforts were being made for repair and reconstruction of the Chiniot-Pindi Bhattian road.

Also read Cabinet to likely approve Rs1b fund for publicity drive

The CM also said that farmers’ rights would be protected during wheat procurement.

Buzdar also met parliamentarians and party workers.

He said districts like Chiniot and Sargodha were kept undeveloped in the past and he would bring a change in such areas. Inclusion of Pindi Bhattian-Chiniot road in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) will be recommended, he added.

Separate district development packages were being prepared to ensure comprehensive development and the schemes would be completed in the next two and a half years, he announced.

Later, the CM inaugurated six projects of Rs623 million at Sargodha Circuit House, including the construction of Rs52.5km farm-to-market roads under RAP phase-I.

The second shift of a learning centre for child labourers at Government Girls High School Railway Colony was inaugurated by children. The CM inaugurated a botanical garden and Miyawaki forest beside laying the foundation of four projects of Rs1.21 billion. A shelter home, Deputy Commissioner Office complex and BS Block of Government Ambala College will be constructed and nine projects of 53km roads will be completed.

Talking to the media, the CM announced a development package of Rs12 billion for Sargodha to complete 43 projects.

He said Rs2 billion will be spent on the supply and drainage of water. The government will construct a social security hospital and emergency services and casualty ward in district headquarters hospital. As many as 26 road projects will be completed.

A portion of Sargodha-Mianwali road has been completed while the second part will be proposed for the PSDP.

Buzdar said the share of Sargodha in the Faisalabad-Chiniot-Sargodha road project is Rs7.5 billion.

Replying to a question, the CM said a Rs7 billion Ramazan package had been announced for the province.

He said 10,000 youth would be recruited along with the purchase of 600 vehicles and construction of new police stations.

He pointed out that the ratio of coronavirus positive test results in Sargodha had reached 12 per cent and the citizens should follow the safety SOPs.

He vowed to expedite development in the district.

The CM also visited a coronavirus vaccination centre.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2021.