Walton Road upgrade a mega project, says CM

LAHORE: Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi inspected the progress on Walton Road and ADA drain remodeling & upgradation, Cavalry underpass and Centre point to Walton Road CBD Punjab Quaid District projects here on Wednesday.

The caretaker CM expressed his satisfaction with the drainage of sewage water on Walton Road. While directing measures for the smooth flow of traffic during the development work, he directed that the projects should be completed without delay. Taking notice of shop closures, he ordered the administration and police to let the shops open. Shops were immediately opened in the presence of CM.

He also inspected the Lahore Central Business District Development Authority and directed planting of more trees around the project.

The CM gave a deadline for the completion of the asphalt work from the center point to Walton in the first 10 days of December, adding that the project should be completed by the end of December in any case. He reviewed the construction work of the road connecting CBD Punjab Boulevard and Walton Road and directed to complete the Walton overhead bridge on a fast-track basis.

While talking to the media after visiting the development projects, the CM said that the up-gradation and remodelling of Walton Road is a mega project. Work was being started at six locations on Walton Road, which will cost more than Rs9 billion. A flyover will also be built at Cheil Chowk, which will facilitate the smooth flow of traffic, he said.

The cavalry underpass will be completed in the next four days while the Ghora Chowk flyover is expected to be completed on 7th December, he stated.

Meanwhile, work on the Lahore Ring Road (southern loop-3) and Band Road (controlled access) projects was going on day and night, with a deadline of January. Similarly, the Gujranwala Expressway will also be completed in January. Work on Gujranwala University has been started as well while the capacity of Gujranwala Children’s Hospital, started with a capacity of 100 beds, will be increased to 200 beds in January.

Meanwhile, the chief minister visited ‘Mini Aitchison’ Divisional Public School in Gujranwala, meticulously examining the educational and sports facilities for both boys and girls. Mohsin Naqvi said that 24 new classrooms would be built at DPS.

The chief minister also visited the Police Service Centre in Liberty. The centre witnessed a significant influx of citizens, with some expressing grievances about prolonged processing delays, enduring waits of up to four hours.

The CM summoned the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) to the service centre. In addition, he contacted the IGP, instructing the centre to operate 24 hours a day. To address the concerns raised by citizens, Mohsin Naqvi emphasised the necessity to augment counter staff, ensuring swift resolution of citizens' requests to minimise unnecessary waiting times.

He mandated the extension of operating hours for the Police Service Centre in Garden Town to round-the-clock. He also inspected various facilities, including the 'Tahafuz Markaz,' 'Misaq Markaz,' waiting room, and counters. In response to the situation, the CM directed the centre's staff to expedite action on citizens' requests, aiming for a more efficient and responsive service delivery.

CM condemns North Waziristan incident

The chief minister strongly condemned an assault on the security forces’ vehicle at Razmak, in the area of North Waziristan. Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the great sacrifice of martyred Lance Naik Ehsan Badshah and martyred Lance Naik Sajid Hussain. The CM while extending his condolences with the heirs of the martyred stated that the martyred personnel are heroes of the nation.

Gujranwala business leaders laud CM’s services

Business leaders of Gujranwala said that the chief minister had set an unprecedented benchmark for diligence in completing development projects, earning accolades for his tireless efforts.

They praised his commitment to mega projects aimed at public welfare and his far-reaching initiatives to facilitate business operations, emphasising the positive impact on the ease of doing business.