In an endeavour to 'make cities engine of economic growth through planned urbanization', the Punjab government has allocated Rs 13.5 billion in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2019-20; it is a substantial increase of 170 percent (Rs 8.5 billion) from the previous fiscal year.
Out of the total allocation, Rs 7.646 billion is allocated to 108 on-going schemes while Rs 5.838 billion is allocated for 63 new programmes. Moreover, 15 projects will be initiated on public-private-partnership basis for which Rs 15 million has been allocated.
In FY 2018-2019, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government had earmarked Rs 5 billion for the sector. However, when this allocation is compared to the allocation made by the previous PML-N government in FY 2017-18, it is less; during that period the PML-N government earmarked Rs 16.433 billion for urban development of Punjab.
Through this allocation, the present government is attempting to materialize its vision in this vital sector: "Make cities engine of economic growth through planned urbanization and provision of clean drinking water & adequate sanitation services, affordable housing and development of open public spaces in the major urban cities of the Punjab."
In the budget documents, the government has defined eight objectives that, the government believes, through its accomplishment can convert their vision in to reality.
The first objective to cater the surging trend of migration from rural to urban areas through planned urbanization. Moreover, they are looking to ensure provision of clean drinking water in urban area and improved sanitation services for safe disposal of waste water.
Another objective set by the government is installation of waste water treatment plants, which will assist in meeting with the Punjab environmental quality standards and save ground water from contamination.
Among the other objectives include: promotion of physical health by setting up model sports complexes; initiating mega infrastructure projects in urban areas for smart traffic management; construction of low cost houses to shorten the gap between surging demand and constraint supply; and conservation of ground water through shifting from ground water to surface water treatment plant.
To accomplish these objectives, the government has announced a number of initiatives in the ADP 2019-20, including 10 sewerage schemes for southern Punjab, to be executed by WASA; construction of Multan Southern Bypass (dual carriageway) along with service roads from LMQ Road to Bahawalpur Chowk, including a railway over head bridge; and widening and improvement of road from MDA Chowk to Dera Adda Chowk Multan.
Moreover, it also announced construction of a road along Qila Mian Singh Minor from Alam Chowk to Gondlanwala Road to Samanabad Chungi in District Gujranwala; and establishment of Sports Complex Model Bazar China Scheme in Lahore.
In Rawalpindi, the government shown intent of construction Rawalpindi Ring Road at the cost of Rs 44 billion; it is a foreign aided project. It also has drawn a comprehensive package for replacement of outlived sewer lines, sewer lines for un-served areas, replacement of outlived water supply pipelines and water supply pipelines for un-served areas in Multan.
Among the other projects to be launched this fiscal year include: a flyover from Nadirabad Phatak to industrial estate in Multan and Lahore Water; Waste Water Management Project-Construction of Surface Water Treatment Plant at BRBD Canal in Lahore; installation of consumer water meters on PPP mode; and construction of a flyover at Shahkam Chowk in Lahore on PPP mode.
Comments
Comments are closed.