Punjab CM Sets Deadline for Urban Development Work
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed authorities to complete all sewerage and drainage projects by June 30, 2026.
She issued the instructions while chairing a special meeting in Lahore on Saturday.
The chief minister said the government would not accept delays in public welfare projects. She directed officials to complete the work at any cost within the given deadline.
Maryam Nawaz said public safety and the protection of public funds are among the government’s top priorities.
She also ordered a complete ban on digging and leaving open pits in Lahore and other cities of Punjab.
The chief minister said open pits in streets and neighbourhoods create serious problems for citizens and increase safety risks.
Punjab Saves Rs80 Billion Through E-Tendering
During the meeting, Maryam Nawaz said Rs80 billion had been saved through e-tendering under the Punjab Development Programme.
Officials briefed the meeting that geo-tagging of 838,555 manholes had been completed across Punjab.
The meeting was also informed that de-silting of drains and sewer lines had been carried out for the first time in 41 cities of the province.
Authorities said 550 tons of silt and slurry had been removed from sewer lines and drains.
Officials also reported that 110 underground sewerage tanks had been completed. These tanks have the capacity to store 24.5 million gallons of water.
The briefing further stated that covers had been placed on 200,000 manholes.
Machinery Supplied to Cities Across Punjab
The meeting was told that modern machinery is being supplied to different cities.
This includes 91 jetting and suction machines, 77 de-silting machines, and 100 dewatering sets.
Officials said a drainage system covering 198 kilometers had been completed.
They also said cleaning of 3,497 kilometers of sewer lines had been finished.
Work on Phase I and Phase II of the Punjab Development Programme is continuing with an allocation of Rs204 billion.
Phase I is 57 percent complete and includes Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, Okara, Jhang, Multan, and Sialkot.
Phase II has been completed in Jhelum, Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, and Rawalpindi.
The chief minister directed all departments to speed up work and ensure strict monitoring of project quality.
