Lahore: The timely completion of projects announced by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is progressing. In this regard, an important meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Provincial Minister for Communications and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth. During the meeting, officers from the C&W department briefed the Minister on the ongoing and completed construction projects.

 

The briefing highlighted that work on the Sarkain Bahal Punjab Khushhaal road restoration project is progressing rapidly. Work has been completed on 25% of 182 highways, 50% on 168 highways, and 75% on 67 highways. Work on 39 highways is 99% complete, and 100% completion has been achieved on 2 highways. The Provincial Minister was informed that the road restoration program has been allocated a substantial amount of Rs. 132 billion for 482 schemes. Work on the dual Faisalabad-Chiniot Road is ongoing day and night on 24-kilometer stretch. Out of the Rs. 7.6 billion allocated for this project, Rs. 1.074 billion has already been spent. The earthwork is 46% complete, sub-base 37%, and base course 25% complete.

 

For the improvement of the 13-kilometer road from Quaid-e-Azam Interchange to Wagah Border, including service areas and drainage systems, construction work continues with a hefty investment of Rs. 7 billion. Work on 12 kilometers of this 13-kilometer road has been completed, and Rs. 973 million has already been used.

 

During the briefing, the Provincial Minister mentioned that the Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has given the people of South Punjab a gift in the form of the Multan-Vihari Road project. It was informed that work is underway on the restoration of an additional new carriageway on this 93-kilometer long road, which will cost Rs. 26 billion. Before the construction work begins, billboards on encroached areas of petrol stations along the road have been demolished and the land cleared. Construction work is set to begin in the coming days.

 

The briefing also mentioned that the construction of the Lillah-Jhelum road is being completed with a budget of Rs. 8.5 billion. The construction of a 4.5-kilometer road to provide access to the Special Economic Zone in Kasur is in its final stages. Out of the 4.5 kilometers, 4.4 kilometers of the base course work has been completed. The Punjab government allocated Rs. 0.4 billion for this project, which will help increase economic growth.

 

In Gujranwala city, work on the signal-free corridor to ease traffic congestion and ensure continuous traffic flow is progressing rapidly. A flyover is under construction at the Chand Da Qila site with an investment of Rs. 7 billion.

 

Under the second phase of the Road Restoration Program, work is ongoing on the repair of damaged sections of 2,082 kilometers of highways with a significant investment of Rs. 137.674 million for the construction of 72 highways. So far, earthwork has been completed on 534 kilometers, base work on 358 kilometers, base course work on 653 kilometers, and surface dressing on 473 kilometers. Overall, 38% of the work on this project has been completed.

 

Recently, the C&W department successfully completed the two-way road project from Burewala to Chichawatni at a cost of Rs. 4.6 billion.

 

Provincial Minister Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth stated that the speed and efficiency with which these projects are being completed in such a short time is unprecedented in the history of the province.