10 urban uplift projects in the offing

CM orders completion of drainage work before monsoon

LAHORE:

Development work in the first phase of the Punjab Development Programme (PDP) will begin on December 19 and the major projects are expected to be completed by June 30, 2026

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was given a progress report on the upgradation of streets, parks, sewerage and drainage systems in 52 cities during a meeting.

She was informed that projects worth Rs166 billion had been approved under the programme's first phase with an outlay of Rs304 billion.

Officials said 50 tenders had been floated, of which 10 had been finalised, paving the way for the commencement of projects worth Rs53.5 billion in the coming days.

The chief minister directed them to prioritise construction and rehabilitation of severely deteriorated neighbourhoods, and stressed the need for completion of drainage projects before the monsoon season in order to mitigate urban flooding.

She was informed that 3,497km of sewerage lines would be laid,181km of drainage networks developed and 56 new disposal stations constructed under the development programme.

In addition, 61 existing disposal stations will be upgraded, increasing total water-handling capacity to 2,114 cusecs.

The officials said Phase-I of the programme covers Burewala, Khanewal, Lalamusa, Mailsi, Sillanwali, Vehari, Attock, Layyah, Alipur and Jaranwala where projects worth Rs53 billion will be launched immediately.

The development work will later expand to the other cities where sewerage, drainage, parks and street-rehabilitation projects amounting to Rs304 billion will be executed.

The CM said the programme would bring visible improvements in urban living standards, and reaffirmed her government's commitment to 'uniform development' across all districts in the province.