Punjab CM orders installation of safety nets beneath manhole covers

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a 2nd consecutive meeting, to review ongoing development projects across the province, during which divisional commissioners presented progress reports via video link.

The chief minister directed authorities to install safety nets beneath manhole covers throughout Punjab to enhance public safety. The polyester-strip safety nets will be fixed inside manholes, gutters and drainage systems. A pilot project has been launched in Gujranwala, where polyester safety nets will be installed on 30,000 manholes.

She also ordered the early completion of road projects on a priority basis to facilitate the public and directed officials to ensure uniform-style and standard-design signboards on all roads. She further instructed authorities to improve urban aesthetics by introducing uniform colours for shopfronts along roadsides.

The chief minister directed that wall-mounted planters be installed in narrow bazaars and markets and ordered the implementation of a uniform colour scheme for shop shutters. She also announced that the main bazaar of Taxila would be transformed into a heritage street.

The meeting was informed that 31 projects, including roads, parks, flower markets, commercial areas and a zoo, are under completion in Gujranwala Division. Tuff tiles will be laid from Nawab Chowk to Crown Cinema, Pasrur Road to Ferozewala Road, and Aslam Butt Road to Hafizabad Road. Traffic signals will also be installed at nine busy points, including Passport Road, Ferozewala Road and Civil Hospital Road in Gujranwala, while streetlights will be installed on Nowshera Road and Eminabad Road.

The chief minister approved the construction of roads from Bypass Road Kalaske to GT Road and from GT Road to Peep Naki village in Wazirabad. She directed the early completion of the Kamoke Edhi Road Main GT Road to Railway Road project. Family parks will be established in Saroki Eminabad, Kamoke and Nowshera Virkan.

A jogging track will be constructed along the Matu Bhiki Canal in Nowshera Virkan, while the local bus stand will undergo beautification, renovation and rehabilitation.

The meeting also approved the construction and restoration of Nawaz Sharif Park over nine acres in Gujrat, where facilities including an open gym, paddle tennis courts and jogging tracks will be provided.

In Sara-i-Alamgir, a state-of-the-art service road will be constructed from Kareem Mall to Jamia Mosque Road along GT Road. Benches and plantation will also be added alongside the service road.

Five road construction and rehabilitation projects were approved for Mandi Bahauddin. In Rawalpindi, the chief minister directed authorities to complete beautification projects within three months. Progress on ongoing beautification works along Adiala Road and Chakri Road was also reviewed.

CM Punjab ordered the closure of open drains in the Daulat Nagar main bazaar area of Gujar Khan.

The meeting further approved four road construction and rehabilitation projects each for Kotli Sattian in Murree and Jhelum.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026