Punjab mulls two more highways, other projects

LAHORE - The Punjab government is launching four major projects with the cooperation of private sector including construction of two highways, building of 21 silos under Punjab Green Storage Project and of provision of modern transport facilities to the people.

This was informed in a meeting of Punjab public-private partnership committee presided over by Provincial Minister for Planning & Development Ch Abdul Ghafoor, here on Wednesday. Provincial Finance Minister Kamran Michael, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary P&D, Secretary Finance and senior officers were present.

Addressing the meeting, Ch. Abdul Ghafoor said that participation of private sector in public welfare projects was of paramount importance for realizing the dream of rapid progress and development. The meeting was informed that the projects to be initiated with the collaboration of private sector include construction of two highways including the southern portion of Lahore Ring Road for which land will be provided by Punjab government. Under the project, 40 kilometer long road will be constructed at a cost of 62 billion rupees. In order to check the wastage of wheat, Punjab Green Storage Project will also be executed under public-private partnership. The construction of green storages will help reserve 3 lakh 50 thousand metric ton wheat in scientific manner and a sum of five billion rupees will be spent on the project which will be provided by private sector.

The project will be started in 2014 and completed within two years.