- Punjab CM directs all PDP projects to be geo-tagged for transparency, monitoring
- Says Rs2.8b saved through transparency, while Rs234b projects underway
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday directed the authorities to carry out comprehensive beautification of city entry and exit points, with special emphasis on cleanliness beneath overhead bridges, development of green belts and creation of play areas across the province.
Presiding over a special meeting, the chief minister ordered the decoration of overhead bridges and underpasses and directed that all projects under the Punjab Development Plan (PDP) be geo-tagged to ensure transparency and effective monitoring. She also sought a comprehensive plan for the establishment of washrooms on provincial highways to facilitate travellers.
پی ڈی پی اور ایل ڈی پی میں جو نئے مین ہولز لگ رہے ہیں، ان کا لیول سڑک کے برابر ہونا چاہیے۔ ذرا سا اونچا مین ہول موٹر سائیکل سوار، پیدل چلنے والے اور بچوں کے لیے خطرہ بنتا ہے۔ آدھا ملی میٹر بھی ابھار قابل قبول نہیں۔ لوکل گورنمنٹ، ہاؤسنگ، تمام کمشنرز اور ڈی سیز اس پر فوری عملدرآمد… pic.twitter.com/eP8sooJPvg
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The chief minister instructed that roads must be fully reconstructed and restored after excavation for sewerage and drainage projects. She further directed the establishment of control rooms and management cells in all deputy commissioner offices to monitor PDP projects.
During the briefing, it was informed that transparency measures in PDP Phase-I projects had resulted in savings of Rs2.8 billion. The first phase of the Lahore Development Plan has been completed successfully, while work on its second phase is under way. Under the Punjab Development Plan, development projects worth Rs234 billion are currently in progress across seven cities.
The chief minister was informed that sewerage, disposal, drainage and water storage tank projects would be undertaken in Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat and Jhang, while trunk sewerage, new disposal stations and rainwater drainage systems would be developed in Jhelum, Hafizabad and Okara. She was further briefed that 526 machinery units would be provided for sewerage and drainage systems under the plan, while Phase-II would cover eight additional cities.
CM Maryam Nawaz stressed that pits dug for development projects in streets and neighbourhoods must be properly covered and fenced, and directed that manhole levels should not protrude even by a millimetre to prevent accidents. She also ordered uniform quality standards across Punjab, including the use of similar design and colour tiles on footpaths and roads.
She directed the development of green belts and green spaces in every city and said a single utility corridor should be created under development projects to avoid repeated excavation of entire neighbourhoods. Electricity poles, she said, should be installed at the far edges of roads, while overhead wires and cables must be neatly organised, with no tangled wiring visible after beautification.
The chief minister also ordered the installation of streetlights in tehsils and said new, uniform manhole covers made of plastic-like material were being introduced. She further directed that yellow and black stones be used along footpath edges instead of paint.
“Our government fully understands public needs and is committed to improving the environment,” CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, adding that open-air gyms, walking tracks and entertainment centres should be developed in various areas. She also directed that benches be installed in open spaces along with small food courts.
She further ordered an audit of fire safety systems in both public and private buildings. Deputy commissioners of Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Vehari, Wazirabad, Sheikhupura and Kasur briefed the meeting on the progress of PDP projects.
CM expresses grief over loss of precious lives in Karachi fire tragedy
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed deep grief and sorrow over the deaths of 26 people in the Karachi Gul Plaza fire tragedy.
In a statement, the chief minister prayed for the safe recovery of the missing persons and said the pain and suffering of the bereaved families is beyond words. She extended heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the affected families during this difficult time.
CM Punjab urges cautious driving during fog
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in traffic accidents and urged citizens to exercise extreme caution while driving during foggy conditions.
In a statement, the chief minister advised motorists to reduce speed and remain vigilant, stressing that strict adherence to traffic laws was essential to prevent accidents and save lives.
“Reaching late is always better than not reaching at all,” she said, reiterating the provincial government’s commitment to improving road safety and appealing to the public to act responsibly to avoid preventable tragedies.
