Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday formally inaugurated Khadam-e-Punjab Daihi Roads Programme which is the biggest project of repair and construction of rural roads in the history of Pakistan.
Under this project, all rural roads of the province will be repaired and reconstructed in a phased manner during the next three years at a cost of Rs 150 billion.
The chief minister inaugurated repair and reconstruction work of 8-kilometre long Ladheke Bhullar to Pando Road in Suey Aasal District Kasur under this programme and also prayed for the success of this splendid project.
Talking to journalists after inaugurating the programme, he said that the historic project of repair and reconstruction of rural roads has been started which will cost billions of rupees. He said that a huge sum of 15 billion rupees has been allocated for the repair and construction of 2,000 kilometres long roads of the rural areas.
He said that the programme is aimed developing a network of roads in rural areas of the province and under this project, repair and reconstruct work of roads in a dilapidated condition would also be carried out. He said that the width of roads of rural areas will be increased from 10 feet to 12 feet and after including shoulders their total width will become 24 feet. He said that the roads to be constructed under this programme will be fully carpeted.
He said that this splendid and historic project is aimed at strengthening of rural economy and will directly benefit farmers and dwellers of villages. He said that the programme will bring a revolution in rural economy while thousands of new jobs opportunities will also be created. He said that millions of people living in rural areas will benefit from this programme as it will result in provision of speedy transport facilities as well as accelerate the process of economic development. He said that this programme has been started with the vision to provide maximum facilities to the farmers, cultivators and people of villages and will prove to be a milestone in the progress and prosperity of rural areas. He said that this project will also benefit the farmers due to development of agriculture sector while the villagers will have a better access to schools, colleges, hospitals and other places.
He said that the programme will result in ensuring fruits of social and economic development to the rural populace.
FUNDS WILL BE SPENT TRANSPARENTLY:
He further said that the project is being launched by the members of national and provincial assemblies in their respective areas. He said that all the roads to be construed and repaired under the programme will be of high standard and third party audit will be compulsory before making payments to the contractors. He said that contractors have been selected transparently for this project and it is hoped that they will work with honesty, commitment and dedication and pay special attention to the construction work of roads.
CONTRACTORS TO BE REWARDED:
The chief minister announced that three best contractors for the programme will be fully encouraged and given cash prizes and commendatory certificates while their labour will also be rewarded. Similarly, ten best engineers will also be extended encouragement and given cash prizes and commendatory certificates.
However, he warned, anyone involved in malpractices will be strictly punished as the funds to be utilised on this project are hard-earned money of masses and no irregularity or misuse can be tolerated.
He directed provincial minister for communication & works (C&W), secretary C&W and field officers to personally supervise the programme and perform their responsibilities efficiently as this programme is directly linked with the welfare and betterment of farmers and cultivators.
He further said that he (Shahbaz) will personally monitor the flagship programme and pay surprise visits to judge the standard of construction work as no compromise can be made on quality and transparency.
He said that there is no room for lip-service, laxity or dereliction. He said that the golden principle of honesty, hard work and commitment will have to be adopted for making Pakistan a great country.
He also thanked provincial cabinet as well as political and administrative team of Punjab for working very hard for evolving the programme.
He also congratulated provincial minister for C&W, chief secretary, secretary C&W, LDA director general and other officers concerned for giving a practical shape to the idea of Khadam-e-Punjab Daihi Roads Programme.
Secretary C&W gave a detailed briefing to the chief minister after inauguration of the programme and apprised him of its aims and objectives.
Provincial minister for C&W, minister for food, National and provincial assemblies members, workers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, secretaries concerned, Lahore Division commissioner and a large number of people were present on the occasion.
DUALISATION OF SIALKOT-ZAFARWAL ROAD APPROVED:
Meanwhile, Punjab Assembly Member Rana Liaqat Ali on Sunday disclosed that Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has finally approved mega project of dualisation of 35-km-long main Sialkot-Zafarwal Road worth Rs 1 billion, besides, releasing first tranche of Rs 500 million funds for the project.
He said that Federal Minister for Defence, Water and Power Khawaja Asif will inaugurate the project in coming week.
He added that the dualisation of main Sialkot-Zafarwal Road was the old and pressing demand of the local people, as this project would provide better means of communication to the people, besides, opening the new vistas of socio-economic development in this region.