Lahore Development Programme: ‘Excavation to be completed before monsoon’

LAHORE:Provincial Minister for Local Government and Convener of the Steering Committee of Lahore Development Programme (LDP) Zeeshan Rafiq said that every effort should be made to complete the excavation work before the rainy season so that the citizens have to face minimum inconvenience. He stressed that alternative routes for citizens should be taken care of in the excavation work carried out under LDP.

Minister for local government expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of the LDP Steering Committee here on Monday. Provincial Minister for Information and Culture and member of the Steering Committee Azma Bukhari, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Political Affairs Zeeshan Malik, Commissioner Lahore Zaid bin Maqsood and Additional Secretary Local Government Ahmer Kaifi also attended the meeting. Deputy Commissioner/Administrator Lahore Metropolitan Corporation Syed Musa Raza and Wasa MD Syed Ghufran Ahmed briefed the committee. The steering committee directed the Deputy Commissioner and MD Wasa to implement the set timeline of LDP. Zeeshan Rafiq appealed to the citizens to cooperate with the district administration in protecting the completed streets. He pointed out that after the expansion of the scope of Wasa in Lahore, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the institution. "In this regard work is underway on various proposals at the government level". He warned that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz herself is also visiting different areas and reviewing the work. So, he vowed, the instructions of the Chief Minister will be kept in mind during the development schemes in every case.

Addressing the meeting, Azma Bukhari directed that quality should be taken into account in the installation of street lights. "It is necessary to keep in mind the need for the next 30 years in the sewage system" she directed. She emphasised that keeping in mind the break during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, the pace of work should be further accelerated immediately after the holidays. She pledged that under the LDP, the restoration of parks and provision of facilities in cemeteries will also be ensured.

On this occasion, Special Assistant to CM Zeeshan Malik said that there should be no excavation work in the streets after the construction work is completed. "There will be no compromise on quality and transparency". He directed that the steering committee be kept updated on the progress of the work regularly.

Commissioner Lahore Zaid bin Maqsood said that all the departments concerned are working on the LDP in a coordinated manner. Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza told the meeting that after the completion of the LDP, no excavation will be allowed in any street without NOC of district administration. "Lahore Metropolitan Corporation and Wasa are jointly taking the work forward. The schemes will be completed keeping in mind the instructions of the Chief Minister and the Steering Committee", he assured.