Punjab to set up special road maintenance squads in every district

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to establish a Special Road Maintenance Squad in every district to ensure daily inspection, upkeep, cleanliness and timely repair of damaged roads.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved the proposal here on Tuesday in a special video-link meeting with commissioners and deputy commissioners on ongoing development projects in the districts. The chief minister directed the authorities to put in place an effective monitoring mechanism covering the scope, timelines, quality, expenditure and physical progress of every project.

She ordered mandatory installation of cat’s eyes on specified urban roads and directed the use of thermoplastic road markings for greater durability and improved road safety.

The chief minister also directed that concrete entrance gates should not be constructed at the entry points of cities and tehsils. Instead, each city’s name should be displayed on a landscaped, green plot at its entrance. Median designs and landscaping should also be provided at district entry and exit points.

She directed the authorities to properly illuminate or decorate electricity poles along designated roads and ensure appropriate lane markings, traffic signs and directional signage.

The CM Punjab ordered that food streets be planned as designated and separate commercial areas, with adequate infrastructure, cleanliness, parking and traffic arrangements. She also directed the authorities to improve access, sanitation, traffic management and organised commercial activity at vegetable markets across the province.

She stressed that all projects must be completed according to approved designs, materials and technical standards, adding that there would be no compromise on transparency and quality.

The chief minister further directed that road safety measures conform to approved technical standards and that lighting installations be energy-efficient, durable, safe and easy to maintain.

She said district entry points should feature modern, contemporary designs, with Chinese city entrances serving as a reference, while approved design concepts should be followed for tehsil entrances with suitable modifications according to the local context.

The chief minister also ordered that roads should not have concrete structures in the middle without planters and called for proper landscaping of medians.

She directed the commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure close monitoring of development projects and timely resolution of issues to maintain quality and prevent cost overruns.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026