Provision of basic amenities govt’s top priority: CM

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that a network of development projects was being laid throughout the province and that the transparent and timely completion of these projects was being ensured. He said that servicing the masses was the mission of the government and that all resources of the province were being utilised for their welfare and the provision of basic amenities to them. He announced that the Lahore Ring Road Package-15 would be inaugurated on December 25, while the project of widening of Lahore Canal Road would be completed by January 15, 2012, and the project of the Muslim Town flyover by March 23, 2012.

The chief minister said this during a visit to review the pace of implementation of various ongoing development projects in the provincial capital. Provincial Assembly members, Communication and Works secretary, Lahore commissioner, Chief Minister’s Inspection Team chairman and senior officers of NESPAK and the National Logistics Cell (NLC) were also present on the occasion.

Talking on this occasion, the chief minister said that modern infrastructure was vital for the promotion of rapid development and economic activities. He claimed that the Punjab government had paid special attention to the improvement of infrastructure and that a network of roads, underpasses and flyovers was being laid in the province.

Shahbaz stated that quality, transparency and the timely completion of the development projects was the top priority of the government and that the culture of working during the night on development projects had been promoted, with work being carried out round the clock on ongoing development projects. The chief minister said that the Kalma Chowk flyover, Ring Road, Madar-e-Millat Road and other development projects were a unique example of quality and transparency and that these projects could be confidently compared with the projects of developed countries, adding that the Muslim Town Canal flyovers on Ferozepur Road would be completed in the stipulated time.

With regard to the Canal Road, the chief minster said that work on it was being carried out speedily, but that the project would be delayed due to additional work, adding that the project would be completed by January 15, adding that it would result in the best travelling facilities and that the flow of traffic would also improve. He also directed that the construction of service roads on both sides of the canal from Thokar Niaz Baig to the Jallo turning be considered and that a plan be evolved in this regard.

While expressing dissatisfaction over the quality of work on fencing the wall over the Ring Road, the chief minister said that the resources were the trust of the nation and warned that the wastage of these resources could not be tolerated. He directed the Lahore commissioner to take strict action against those involved in the substandard work of fencing the wall on Ring Road. While expressing strong indignation over the debris lying on slip road at Qainchi Chowk on Ferozepur Road, the chief minister said that the debris could cause accidents and that it was the responsibility of the concerned departments to remove it immediately. He also directed that take strict action be taken against those showing negligence in removing the debris. The Communication and Works secretary, the Lahore commissioner and the NLC Sector incharge informed the chief minister about the progress of various projects. The City Traffic Police officer informed Shahbaz that 100 traffic wardens had been posted during the work on the project of the Muslim Town flyover.