CM Maryam sets deadline for sewerage, drainage projects

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said Rs80 billion has been saved through e-tendering under the Punjab Development Programme, while directing authorities not to leave roads and streets dug up during ongoing works.

Chairing a meeting via video link, the chief minister said transparency and quality were central to her administration’s approach. She said public money should be safeguarded and used carefully, and stressed that roads, streets and neighbourhoods could not be left excavated because it created serious difficulties for residents.

Maryam Nawaz set June 30 as the deadline for completion of all sewerage and drainage projects. A province-wide ban has also been imposed on leaving excavation work unfinished or keeping roads open after digging, according to the briefing shared in the meeting.

She further directed that all manholes be fitted with protective meshes as soon as possible. The chief minister also agreed to involve traders and civil society in the safety campaign linked to the initiative.

Progress on manholes and drainage work

Officials told the meeting that desilting and water recharge systems had been built into underground storage tanks. They said geo-tagging of 838,555 manholes across Punjab had been completed, while work on installing protective nets was continuing.

According to the officials, more than 3,000 manholes have already been equipped with nets and meshes. They added that desilting of drains and sewerage lines had been carried out in 41 cities, with 550 tonnes of silt and sludge removed.

The meeting was also informed that 91 jetting and suction machines, 77 desilting machines and 100 dewatering sets were being used across the province for the ongoing operations.

Development programme update

Officials said work under Phase I and Phase II of the development programme was moving ahead rapidly at an estimated cost of Rs204 billion.

In Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, Okara, Jhang, Multan and Sialkot, more than 57 per cent of the work under Phase I has been completed, the briefing said. In Jhelum, Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Nankana and Rawalpindi, more than 57 per cent of Phase II has also been completed.