LAHORE: The Punjab Local Government and Community Development Department has approved development schemes worth over Rs 40 billion for four cities in Bahawalpur division which include Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar and Hasilpur.
In this regard, Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq chaired a meeting; Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul and Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi were present in the meeting while the Commissioner Bahawal-pur, concerned deputy commissioners and municipal officers participated through a video link.
While addressing the meeting, the Minister said that under the supervision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, continuous progress is being made in the Punjab Cities Development Programme. He urged the deputy commissioners to pay special attention to the master planning of the cities; “the deputy commissioners will be responsible for completing the projects under the Punjab Cities Development Progra-mme,” he added.
He further said that under this mega project, not only will the existing infrastructure be restored in the cities, but it will also be further expanded. “Programme Implemen-tation Units (PIUs) will be formed to ensure quality work in each scheme, while Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) will be responsible for third-party validation,” he added.
He added that special attention should be paid to the construction of parks, street lights and rainwater storage tanks. He also directed the officials to review the cantonment areas of Bahawalpur, stressing if there is any dirt road or broken road in the cantonment, it should also be taken into consideration.
During the meeting, it was decided to increase the capacity and number of disposal stations in Bahawalpur city. The Minister, while directing the deputy commissioner to review PC-1 for Rahim Yar Khan, said that all disposal stations in every city will be shifted to solar energy. “It is gratifying that solarisation in Bahawalpur alone will save about Rs 20 million on monthly electricity bills. With an annual saving of Rs 240 million, many more civic amenities can be provided,” he observed.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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