Ring Road Southern Loop sees light of day

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Lahore Ring Road Southern Loop-3 and the province's biggest Multan Road Interchange on Friday.

She announced that the toll tax on SL-3 would be waived for a month.

The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps for the construction of the SL-4.

She inspected the road from Ada Plot to Multan Road Interchange on Lahore Ring Road.

Provincial Communications Minister Malik Soheb Ahmed Barth gave a detailed briefing to the chief minister on the project.

He said the SL-3 Multan Road Interchange is the biggest interchange in Punjab.

Traffic coming from south will be able to reach the Lahore airport in a few minutes through the 8km Lahore Ring Road Southern Loop-3.”

He said the SL3 is very important for traffic management in Lahore by reducing the flow on the Thokar and Canal Roads.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, MNA Afzal Khokhar and Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik accompanied the chief minister along with the chief secretary and relevant officers.

Earlier in April, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had 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.

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.

During a meeting with Member of National Assembly Dr Shazra Mansab and former MNA Chaudhry Abid Raza Kotla, the chief minister assured them of solving public problems at the earliest.

Development projects and public issues of Nankana Sahib and Gujrat were discussed in the meeting.

She said solid waste management and landfill sites will be established across the province, while 2,500 primary and 300 rural health centres were being revamped.

,”State-of-the-art cardiology and paedtiatrics units will be set up in district hospitals. We will ensure the provision of best treatment facilities in every district so that no one has to go to another city for treatment," she said.

The public representatives appreciated the efforts to reduce inflation.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also had a meeting with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, in which social services of Pakistan Navy were discussed.

The chief minister said, "The veterans of Pakistan Navy who defend Pakistan's maritime boundaries are commendable. Pakistanis hold in high regard the valuable services of Pakistan Navy.“

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2024.