LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the launch of a major project to construct 358 underground storage tanks across the province for rainwater drainage and groundwater recharge.
The decision was taken during a video-link meeting chaired by the chief minister to review progress on the Punjab Development Programme, clean water initiatives and the Model Village Project. The chief minister reviewed the ongoing projects.
Officials briefed the meeting that the mega project would be implemented for the first time in Punjab to manage rainwater and improve groundwater levels. Under the plan, 34 large underground storage tanks will be constructed in cities to ensure timely drainage of rainwater, while 324 roadside underground tanks will be built to quickly remove water accumulated on roads. Recharge wells will also be constructed alongside the underground tanks to improve the underground water table. It will be treated through treatment plants and reused for irrigation purposes. In addition, 328 wastewater treatment plants will be established across the province. The meeting was also informed that 6,100 kilometres of streets would be paved and 3,498 kilometres of sewer lines would be laid across various cities. Streetlights will be installed at 14,679 locations, while 33 million square feet of tuff tiles will be laid in streets and pathways. To improve drainage and municipal services, 526 modern machines and tractors will be provided.
A factory for producing sewerage pipelines with a lifespan of up to 100 years has been set up in Lahore and is expected to begin production soon. Officials briefed that Punjab Development Programme projects have been initiated in Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, Okara, Jhang, Multan and Sialkot, while projects will soon begin in Jhelum, Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Rawalpindi. Under the Punjab Rural Sanitation Improvement Programme, drainage systems will be developed in rural areas. Development schemes worth Rs59 billion will be implemented in 485 villages under the Model Village Project, while work has already started in 200 villages. Cleaning of wastewater ponds and installation of wastewater treatment plants will be undertaken, and treated water will be supplied to agricultural fields for irrigation.
Maryam directed authorities to ensure the functionality of filtration plants for clean drinking water. She instructed that paved streets in villages be given priority and that drainage projects be completed before the monsoon, especially those in Gujrat and Sialkot. She said the kind of work being carried out in Punjab today had not been done over the past 70 to 80 years, adding that within five years, a transformed, modern and beautiful Punjab would emerge.
Meanwhile, Maryam has ordered a grand crackdown on hoarders and profiteers involved in stockpiling petroleum products. On the directives of chief minister, the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (Pera) has been instructed to take strict action against the elements creating artificial shortages. According to the directives, petrol pumps found involved in hoarding or profiteering will be sealed immediately and their licences cancelled.
The CM directed Pera to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against hoarders and instructed field officers to ensure strict monitoring of petrol pumps throughout the province. Officials stated that the Punjab administration has prepared a strong enforcement mechanism against the so-called “petrol mafia”. They made it clear that no one would be allowed to exploit the public by creating panic or artificial shortages under the pretext of tensions in the Gulf region.
They emphasised that sufficient petroleum products were available in the province and urged citizens not to pay attention to rumours. A strong warning was issued against speculation and false claims regarding petroleum shortages, stating that those spreading rumours of artificial scarcity would face strict consequences.
