Maryam Nawaz clears new road schemes, Ring Road service areas

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a set of new road schemes and ordered officials to speed up work on infrastructure projects already under way in the province.

At a meeting she chaired, participants were told that Rs125 billion had been earmarked under the Chief Minister's Initiative, the Local Roads Programme and projects close to completion. Officials said 99 per cent of the road sector's development allocation had already been spent.

The briefing stated that the Local Roads Programme includes 1,567 schemes valued at Rs79 billion and spans 3,400 kilometres. Of these, 1,129 schemes were completed within 75 days. Officials also told the meeting that road restoration work had produced savings of Rs11 billion.

According to the briefing, the 93.5-kilometre Multan-Vehari dual carriageway, the 24-kilometre Faisalabad-Chiniot dual carriageway and the 13-kilometre Tourism Highway have been completed. The meeting was also informed that restoration work on all 124 roads damaged by floods had been finished. Separately, the chief minister approved the setting up of six service areas under the Punjab Ring Road Authority, which officials said are expected to generate Rs500 million in annual revenue.