Punjab Development Programme: Work orders issued for 46 cities: minister
LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique has said that work orders have been issued for 46 out of 51 cities under the Punjab Development Programme (PDP), while work orders for Kamoke, Bhalwal, Chak Jhumra, Khudian, and Kabirwala will be issued this month.
He expressed these views while presiding over a review meeting on PDP on Wednesday. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Project Director Brigadier Asad Mahmood (retd), Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi and the Secretary Local Government Board were also present. On this occasion, the Minister directed the officials that preliminary work should be started even where technical stages are being finalised, adding that the excavation process for the construction of underground water tanks should also be started.
While directing the NESPAK experts to resolve the pending issues quickly, he warned that the timeline set by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif would not be extended even by a day. He said so far, the designs of 39 storm water drains, 12 trunk sewers, and nine disposal stations have been updated. He added that the PDP is a mega project of Rs 304 billion under which 5,397 kilometres of sewer lines will be laid in the cities. “The total length of storm water drains will be 181 kilometres while 67 underground tanks will be constructed,” he added.
He said that the wastewater plants will have the capacity to treat 323 million gallons of water per day. He directed that the work on drains and sewers should be completed before the rainy season. He observed that work is progressing rapidly in Vehari, Alipur Chatha, Joharabad, Jalalpur Jatan, and Hasilpur, adding that the installation of factories for lining pipes has also been started.
He said the construction and rehabilitation of 6,000 kilometres of streets and roads is also part of the PDP. “For the first time, schemes have been made keeping in mind the needs of the population for the next 25 years through comprehensive master planning,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Housing Department’s spokesperson said that large-scale development works are progressing rapidly in 15 districts across the province under the Punjab Development Programme. The department will complete development projects worth Rs 200 billion in the first phase; work has formally commenced in Jhang, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Jhelum, Okara, and Sargodha districts, while projects in other districts are being executed in phases.
According to the spokesperson, a total of 1,610 kilometres of new sewerage lines will be laid, while 741 kilometres of old and dilapidated sewerage systems will be rehabilitated and repaired. Additionally, 92 kilometres of main drains and canals are being constructed, along with more than 108 kilometres of roadside drains. Across the 15 districts, work is underway on 27 new disposal stations, while 59 existing disposal stations will be fully restored and made operational.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026