Khushab : ReNews Pakistan
Monitoring of ongoing urban infrastructure projects under the Punjab Development Programme has been intensified, with development schemes worth more than Rs12 billion currently underway across Khushab district.
Punjab Local Government Secretary Zaid Bin Maqsood visited Khushab and Jauharabad to review progress on the projects and assess the pace and quality of ongoing development work.
The Deputy Commissioner Khushab and officials from relevant departments were also present during the visit. The Local Government Secretary was given a detailed briefing on sewerage, drainage, disposal stations, underground water storage tanks and other urban infrastructure schemes being implemented in Khushab and Jauharabad.
Officials said development projects worth more than Rs12 billion are currently being executed in the district under the Punjab Development Programme. Desilting work on the Shewala Drain and its associated sub branch has already been completed, while work is continuing at other locations to improve the drainage system.
Both major underground water storage tanks in Jauharabad have also been completed. The Local Government Secretary directed officials to begin restoration of affected roads and parks immediately after completion of the related works so that inconvenience caused to residents by construction activity could be reduced.
Zaid Bin Maqsood also inspected ongoing work at the Shewala Drain and expressed satisfaction with the progress. He instructed the concerned officials to ensure compliance with approved construction standards and project timelines and to avoid unnecessary delays.
Work to improve drainage infrastructure in Khushab and Jauharabad has been underway for several months. According to a report by the Associated Press of Pakistan in April, a disposal project at Ghala Mandi in Jauharabad was inspected under the Punjab Development Programme, with officials directed to improve the local sewerage and drainage network.
Recent local reports have also indicated that new sewerage lines are being laid in different parts of Khushab and Jauharabad while work is continuing on several disposal facilities. Development work on the Shewala Drain is also among the district's major drainage improvement schemes.
The projects form part of the Punjab government's broader Punjab Development Programme, which includes extensive sewerage networks, new and upgraded disposal stations, underground water storage tanks and other urban infrastructure projects across dozens of cities.
By July, 82 underground water storage tanks had reportedly been completed across Punjab, while work on a number of drains had either been completed or reached its final stages. The projects are aimed at improving stormwater management, reducing the risk of urban flooding and increasing the capacity of municipal drainage systems.
Zaid Bin Maqsood said monitoring of Punjab Development Programme projects would continue on a regular basis and directed officials to strictly meet targets related to quality, pace of work and completion timelines.