Urban infrastructure: ADB approves $200 million loan to assist Punjab government

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved US 200 million dollars loan to assist the Punjab government for developing a sustainable urban infrastructure in Sahiwal and Sialkot through Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Programme (PICIIP). The Punjab government is also providing US 50 million dollars equivalent as counterpart funds for the programme.
Commenting on the programme here on Monday, Punjab Local Government and Rural Development Minister Manshaullah Butt said that a modern and safe urban infrastructure is essential for development of intermediate cities, which will help in improving the quality of life of its residents. "The programme is expected to benefit 14 million people in the Sahiwal and Sialkot cities," he added.
He said, "The PICIIP will not only provide safer, efficient and sustainable urban Infrastructure through transport, solid waste, waste water and drainage solution to the people in Sahiwal and Sialkot, it will also improve the health conditions of people, strengthened business process, Economic activities and make the city more liveable," he added.
According to him, the assistance of ADB is a welcome development for residents of Punjab, particularly for Sahiwal and Sialkot. The PICIIP is consistent with the Punjab Chief Minister Vision 2020 for the urban sector, to create world class infrastructure and services, to support modern urban centers, to strengthen systems of urban governess and to significantly improve urban planning and management framework in Sahiwal and Sialkot.
The scope of the project includes installation of centralized sewerage treatment plant (STP), rehabilitation of disposal station, replacement of sewer pipes, provision of missing equipment for sewage water management and unblocking of local drains. It also includes rehabilitation of parks and green belts, improvements of major streets, footpaths and bus terminals, installment of water reservoirs, water pipes, water meters, pressure gauges, boreholes, water transfer station, rehabilitations of tube wells, turbine pumps and motors. The programme includes various capacity development programmes, which will also be delivered to relevant staff in the government and urban service companies of Sahiwal and Sialkot.