CM orders audit of land acquisition

Team to be formed to monitor construction quality of Ravi project

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed displeasure over public complaints of forcible acquisition of land and directed the authorities concerned to conduct a third-party audit of the matter.

During a visit along with Pakistan Muslim League-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to the Ravi Sapphire Bay on the suburbs of Sheikhupura, she directed the authorities to shift the slums coming in the project area to suitable places.

The chief minister agreed to a proposal to form a special team for monitoring the construction quality.

She visited the sites of river training works and barrage, reviewed the construction work at the Sapphire Bay and inspected the cofferdam site.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif called for hiring world's best professional consultants for the Ravi River City project to ensure the best construction quality in the project.

The chief minister and PML-N president were briefed in detail about the river training plan.

Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) Chief Executive Officer Imran Amin said, "The 46km channelisation will be done in three phases on both sides of River Ravi and 36 per cent of the area will be reserved for forests and greenery in the project."

He added that a 46km road will be constructed from the siphon to the Hudayara drain and three barrages will also be constructed in the Ravi River Front Project.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reiterated her commitment to achieve the 100% polio eradication target in Punjab.

She said in a message on the launch of an anti-polio campaign, she said coordinated efforts should be made for the success of the vaccination campaign in 14 districts of the province.