The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the financial assistance of Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other donor agencies has launched Cities Improvement Project (CIP) to ensure clean drinking water in five major cities of the province.

This was disclosed during a meeting held here with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair. Beside, Special Assistant to CM on Local Government Kamran Bangash and Chairman, District Development Advisory Committee (DDAC), Swat Fazal Hakim Khan, the (ACS) Additional Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir, Principal Secretary to CM Shahab Ali Shah, Secretary P&D, Secretary Local Government and others attended the meeting.

The project would be implemented in five major cities including Abbottabad, Kohat, Mardan, Mingora and Peshawar. The objectives of KPCIP are to ensure clean drinking water supply in major cities of the province, improve sewerage and drainage system, solid waste management system and other infrastructure.

The KPCIP include climate change resilience, business plan development, capacity building of WSSCs and TMAs, clean environment, surface water source development, provision of improved water quality, tariff fixation, billing system improvement and enhancing customer services in the cities.

Under the project, in Abbottabad City up-gradation of Choona Water Supply Scheme, replacement of Water Network in Inner City Area, Solid Waste Management System, Pedestrianization of old city area, Development of Sherwan Park, converting old dumping site into Park and other schemes will be completed.

Similarly, in Kohat city, initiation of surface water supply scheme from Tanda Dam, Replacement of Water Network, Solid Waste Management System, installation of Sewerage Treatment Plant at KDA, Establishment of Women Development Center, construction of Kohat Wildlife Park, Green Initiative in Sports Complex and Development of Family Park at Tanda Dam will be completed under KPCIP.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM Mahmood Khan directed the Planning & Development (P&D) Department for handing over the KP Cities Improvement Project (KPCIP) to Local Government Department further directing that work should be initiated on approved and already designed schemes in the last quarter of the current year.

The CM further directed that a master plan for the resolution of traffic congestion in Mingora Bazaar should be prepared and be included in the KPCIP.

The CM directed to expedite the implementation of development plans and complete all the developmental projects within the stipulated timeline. The CM also directed to ensure the provision of clean drinking water in all the cities of the province while emphasizing upon the utilization of surface water sources for domestic and drinking purpose on priority basis.

Under the project Improvement of Solid Waste Management System, installation of Sewerage Treatment Plant, Development of Company Bagh, Development of Baghdada Park and Green initiatives will be carried out in Mardan City.

Similarly, schemes for Mingora includes greater water supply scheme, Improvement of Solid Waste Management System, Development of River Front and other green spaces and Master Plan for the resolution of traffic congestion at Mingora Bazaar.