Biogas plants' project approved

Lahore, Faisalabad to benefit initially from clean energy initiative

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a plan to establish six biogas plants in Lahore and Faisalabad, marking the launch of a clean energy initiative.

Under the plan, four plants will be set up in Lahore and two in Faisalabad.

The approval was granted during a meeting on clean energy chaired by the chief minister, in which officials briefed her on the topic. The participants were informed that biogas plants would play a key role in promoting environment friendly solutions while supporting the farmers as well.

The officials said the biogas plants would provide affordable gas for household use, while also producing bio-fertiliser for crops.

The chief minister sought a workable plan for small-scale biogas plants and approved a feasibility study for establishing a multiple-fuel biorefinery.

It was also decided in the meeting to launch a waste-to-energy project in Lahore.

The officials said the project would generate low-cost electricity to power electric buses and the metro bus system.

The chief minister ordered completion at the earliest of the waste-to-energy project.

She also approved the inclusion of three pilot biogas plant projects under a Model Village programme aimed at integrating clean energy solutions into rural development initiatives. The chief minister was informed that the proposed projects would help reduce reliance on conventional fuels, promote sustainable waste management and contribute to a cleaner environment across the province.

The chief minister has rolled out the Model Village project, under which development work has begun in 224 villages across the province with wide-ranging measures to improve water supply, sanitation, roads and civic services.

She chaired a three-hour meeting to review progress on the Punjab Development Programme, Lahore Development Programme, Model Village initiative, Parks and Horticulture Authorities (PHAs), drinking water schemes and rural road projects.

Officials said that in the first phase of the Model Village project, 469 villages will be provided improved water supply, drainage systems, children's parks, footpaths and streetlights.

To minimise disruption, it was decided that sewerage lines would be laid in green belts instead of roads, while manholes would be constructed along road edges. To ensure long-term sustainability of drainage and sewerage infrastructure, the use of pipes with a lifespan of up to 100 years was approved. The chief minister ordered the launch of a live dashboard to monitor the progress of development projects.

She was informed that the first phase of the Lahore Development Project had been completed, while the second phase would be completed by April 30.

She also ordered the completion of the Punjab Development Project in seven cities by April.

Officials said PHAs had been established in 11 districts, raising the total to 21.

The chief minister sought a plan for setting up PHAs across the province and directed the officials to submit details of existing PHAs' manpower and assets.

She also ordered the preparation of a resource-generation plan to ensure their financial autonomy.

The chief minister also ordered the immediate release of the second loan instalment under the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' housing scheme and the issuance of allotment letters to beneficiaries of the 'Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar' initiative. Officials reported that loans worth Rs155 billion had been disbursed to 121,477 beneficiaries, with 65,000 houses completed and around 700 houses being built. Recoveries amounting to Rs5.15 billion had been made so far through installments.

The chief minister also ordered that project completion timelines be clearly displayed on publicity boards.

She expressed displeasure over roads and streets being dug up and left unattended, directing authorities to ensure immediate completion of sewerage, repair and construction work to minimise public inconvenience. She said the government apologised to citizens for difficulties caused due to road excavations.

Officials informed the participants that development, repair and rehabilitation projects worth Rs204 billion in 52 cities would commence by February 22. Under 1,529 road rehabilitation projects, 4,031 kilometres of roads have been constructed or repaired.

The chief minister terrmed public complaints regarding filtration plants as "regrettable" and ordered that areas with contaminated water be prioritised for the installation of water filtration plants. A target was set to complete the construction and rehabilitation of water bottling and filtration plants by June 30.

The chief minister announced that residents of Dera Ghazi Khan, Khushab, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur who are forced to fetch water from distant sources would be provided bottled water at their doorsteps.

She also ordered early completion of desilting and cleaning of the Lahore Canal, set targets for swift drainage of rainwater and ordered proper lane marking on new roads along with the installation of tiles along them.