Development spending: Rural Roads programme a ‘revolutionary’ project

MPA Nagra says programme will alter destiny of rural Punjab for the better


Our Correspondent April 08, 2015
PHOTO: DFID

FAISALABAD: DCO Noorul Amin Mengal said on Tuesday that the Khadim-i-Punjab Rural Roads Programme was a “revolutionary” measure for rural development.

He was speaking to journalists at Circuit House. He said the programme would usher in a new era of speedy transport and prosperity in villages. Mengal said the programme would benefit farmers and residents of the province’s rural areas in particular.

He said eight roads will be upgraded in the district. Mengal said the roads had been selected after taking lawmakers into confidence. He said Rs965 million would be spent on the initiative.

Mengal said special committees would be tasked with monitoring progress on this front. He said the programme would benefit farmers as it would decrease the cost of production. Mengal said this would also lead to a reduction in inflation.

He urged journalists to monitor progress on the initiative and report any irregularity in this regard. Mengal said the programme would foster a profound change in villages. He said the programme would make residents proud of their native areas in a short span of time.

MPA Zafar Iqbal Nagra said the allocation of Rs15 billion for the project demonstrated the chief minister’s desire to see equitable development in the province. He said over 2,000 kilometres of roads would be constructed under the programme. “It will alter the destiny of rural Punjab for the better,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2015. 

COMMENTS (1)

Uzair | 9 years ago | Reply So, the best way to achieve equitable development is to build roads for the rural areas? I understand completely how increasing communication can help cut down indirect costs, etc. However, equitable development requires equitable distribution of resources. I am sure rural roads are beneficial for the farmers, but how about helping the farmers adding value to the product so that they can reap the profits. These 'white elephant' projects are preferred by the governments because they are visible to everyone. Sustainable economic development entails investment for improving health, education and other human development outcomes.
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