K-P scheme looks to upgrade civic services

CM says cities improvement project (CIP) will solve potable water, waste management issues

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has termed the cities improvement project (CIP) a flagship initiative of the provincial government which, upon completion, would provide all-time solution to the issues related to municipal services.

The project would particularly ensure provision of clean drinking water, sanitation and solid waste management in the major cities of the province.

This mega project would also prove to be an innovative approach towards uplifting the cities and providing recreational facilities to locals.

In his statement issued from the chief minister secretariat on Friday, the chief minister said that under the first phase of the project, physical work on various development projects has been initiated and would be completed on priority.

He mentioned that the CIP will cost more than Rs100 billion and is aimed at streamlining the overall system of municipal services in accordance with contemporary needs.

The chief minister maintained that despite multiple challenges such as Covid-19 pandemic, floods and fiscal constraints created by the incumbent ‘imported setup’ at the centre, the provincial government did not compromise on the welfare and development of its people.

Development activities are in full swing in all the regions including newly merged tribal areas. All available resources are being utilized to ensure that the ongoing development projects are completed within the stipulated timelines, he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the chief minister during his recent visits to districts Abbottabad and Kohat, performed the groundbreaking of seven different projects under CIP which would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs23 billion.

The chief minister has formally laid the foundation stone of a mega project regarding rehabilitation of water supply system and establishment of a new water treatment plant in Abbottabad which would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs10.5 billion. Other projects launched in Abbottabad include: construction of Sherwan Adventure Family Park and cricket ground at an estimated cost of Rs822 million and uplifting of the old bazar in Abbottabad city at an estimated cost of Rs355 million.

Similarly, the chief minister during his recent visit to Kohat, performed the groundbreaking of a flagship project regarding improvement of the sewerage system and establishment of a new sewage treatment plant at Kotal Township (KDA), Kohat which is being implemented at an estimated cost of Rs6.73 billion.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2022.