CM Maryam orders province-wide safety overhaul, major uplift projects across Punjab

• Punjab CM orders safety nets installation under manholes as a pilot launched in Gujranwala

• CM directs fast-tracking of road, parks, beautification projects province-wide

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday directed authorities to install safety nets beneath manhole covers across Punjab to enhance public safety, announcing that polyester-strip safety nets will be fixed inside manholes, gutters and drainage systems, with a pilot project launched in Gujranwala involving the installation of safety nets on 30,000 manholes.

Chairing the second consecutive meeting to review ongoing development projects across the province, the chief minister also ordered the early completion of road infrastructure projects on a priority basis to facilitate the public and directed officials to ensure uniform-style and standard-design signboards on all roads.

During the meeting, divisional commissioners presented detailed progress reports via video link.

She further instructed authorities to improve urban aesthetics by introducing uniform colour schemes for shopfronts along roadside commercial areas.

The chief minister directed that wall-mounted planters be installed in narrow bazaars and markets and ordered the implementation of a uniform colour policy for shop shutters. She also announced that the main bazaar of Taxila would be transformed into a heritage street.

The meeting was informed that 31 development projects, including roads, parks, flower markets, commercial areas and a zoo, are nearing completion in Gujranwala Division.

Under the plan, tuff tiles will be laid from Nawab Chowk to Crown Cinema, Pasrur Road to Ferozewala Road, and Aslam Butt Road to Hafizabad Road. Traffic signals will be installed at nine busy intersections, including Passport Road, Ferozewala Road and Civil Hospital Road in Gujranwala, while streetlights will be installed on Nowshera Road and Eminabad Road.

The chief minister approved the construction of roads from Bypass Road Kalaske to GT Road and from GT Road to Peep Naki village in Wazirabad. She also directed the early completion of the Kamoke Edhi Road project from Main GT Road to Railway Road.

Family parks will be developed in Saroki Eminabad, Kamoke and Nowshera Virkan, while a jogging track will be constructed along the Matu Bhiki Canal in Nowshera Virkan. The local bus stand will also undergo beautification, renovation and rehabilitation.

The meeting further approved the construction and restoration of Nawaz Sharif Park spread over nine acres in Gujrat, where facilities including an open gym, paddle tennis courts and jogging tracks will be provided.

In Sarai Alamgir, a modern service road will be constructed from Kareem Mall to Jamia Mosque Road along the GT Road, along with benches and plantation along the corridor.

Five road construction and rehabilitation projects were also approved for Mandi Bahauddin.

In Rawalpindi, the chief minister directed authorities to complete ongoing beautification projects within three months and reviewed progress on works along Adiala Road and Chakri Road.

She also ordered the closure of open drains in the Daulat Nagar main bazaar area of Gujar Khan.

The meeting further approved four road construction and rehabilitation projects each for Kotli Sattian in Murree and Jhelum.