LAHORE: Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has instituted a ban on excavation and damage to newly constructed roads, urging relevant departments to synchronize their efforts to prevent repeated road diggings. During a special meeting convened to review own-source revenue (OSR) development projects across the province, she emphasized the importance of maintaining manholes and sewerage covers level with the road surface and ensuring that all new roads have proper drainage, signage, and lane markings.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the chief minister barred officials from collecting charges from shopkeepers without prior approval and demanded separate timelines for all development projects. The meeting assessed OSR schemes in several cities, including Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, all of which received the chief minister’s approval. These schemes encompass a wide range of projects such as the construction and widening of dual carriageways, road carpeting, and installation of cat’s eyes, kerb stones, and lane markings, alongside sewerage, beautification, sports facilities, and solarization of disposal stations.
In Lahore, the beautification of 10 roads, including Egerton Road and Lower Mall, was approved, with plans to enhance Lakshmi Chowk with artwork on the Metro track and pillars. The Orange Line track along Multan Road will also undergo beautification through cleaning, plantation, and mural painting. Additional projects for the construction and widening of rural roads in Lahore’s outskirts were sanctioned.
In other districts, plans for road construction, solar street lights, and beautification were approved in Kasur, while Sheikhupura will see five projects focusing on sewerage and road construction. Multan division received approval for 42 OSR projects, involving dual carriageways and drainage schemes. Various development projects were also sanctioned for Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Bahawalnagar, focusing on road improvements and solar street lights.
Faisalabad witnessed the approval of 13 road construction projects, with additional schemes in Chiniot and Jhang. Toba Tek Singh will benefit from a new shopping arena and food street, while Kamalia will see the construction of a sports and badminton stadium. In Rawalpindi, 13 projects were approved, alongside developments in Attock, Murree, Jhelum, and Chakwal. The chief minister also requested details of projects for other tehsils such as Hasan Abdal and Kallar Kahar.