The Punjab government has spent Rs 67 billion on the construction of roads in rural areas so far which a concerned minister believes has improved the lives of rural population. Under the Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme, the government is spending money to connect farmers with market places and so far it has built around 7000-kilometer long carpeted roads.
While talking to media, Malik Tanveer Aslam Awan, Punjab Communication and Works Minister, said this programme has proved a 'game-changer' for the promotion of rural economy. "This is the largest programme of construction and rehabilitation of rural roads in the history of the country. The rural population now has access to transport facilities and it has helped the farmers to move their agriculture produces to market places," he added. He also said that the programme is a unique and innovative initiative that has transformed the lifestyle of the rural population. "Speedy, qualitative and transparent completion of development projects is a policy of the Punjab government and this has been applied to ensure high-quality construction of rural roads," he added.