Lahore Development Plan to be monitored with GIS

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered early completion of the rehabilitation and construction of Lahore’s streets and markets along with the provision of streetlights.

Presiding over a meeting to review progress on the Lahore Development Plan, she also called for the completion of drainage projects in the city within three months. She urged the authorities concerned to ensure early completion of the development plan. A comprehensive briefing was given on the construction and rehabilitation of Lahore's streets, roads, sanitation and other matters.

It was decided that the implementation of the Lahore Development Plan will be monitored through the Geographical Information System.

The National Engineering Services of Pakistan and environment specialists will also provide assistance in the plan.

Officials said projects pertaining to environment protection, restoration of parks and their improvement were also included in the Lahore Development Plan.

The chief minister highlighted that construction and rehabilitation of roads neglected for a long time would be undertaken.

“I want to see all the streets and bazaars neat and clean. The issues of the sewerage system should also be fixed,” she said.

Chairing another meeting on rehabilitation of roads, Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centres (RHCs) across Punjab, the chief minister stressed that transparency should be ensured in the construction and rehabilitation of roads and hospitals.

She issued directives to complete the Lahore Ring Road SL-3 project as soon as possible, besides taking immediate steps in collaboration with the federal government for the construction of the loop SL-4 at the earliest.

Recommendations for the construction of Deepalpur-Layyah and other roads were also discussed.

The CM called for planting trees along the roads, including 100,000 along the Gujranwala-Lahore Expressway.

She was informed that the construction, repair and rehabilitation of 590 arterial and connector roads across Punjab had begun. So far, four roads have been rehabilitated, while work is in progress on five others. The construction of Muridke-Narowal, Painsara-Shorkot, Jhangra-Ahmedpur Sharqia, Chawinda-Sabz Pir and Zafarwal roads is in full swing.

The participants were informed that the Bahawalpur to Jhangra East expressway would be the most beautiful in the province.

An investors’ conference will be held in May for the Multan-Vehari Expressway.

The CM was informed that the construction and maintenance of health centres in Phulnagar, Manga, Shamke Bhattian and Ferozwala had been completed, while work was in full swing on others.

She called for upgrading of health centres on a war footing.

During a meeting with the members of provincial assembly (MPAs) from different districts, the chief minister asked them to monitor sale of bread at the official rates in their constituencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2024.