September 28, 2003	Sunday	Sha’aban 1, 1424

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FAISALABAD, Sept 27: City Tehsil Nazim Mumtaz Ali Cheema said on Saturday arrangements had been finalized to launch the mega water supply project to be completed at a cost of Rs3,025 million.

Talking to newsmen here, the Nazim claimed that the fears of the growers of the Jhang Branch canal had been dispelled, and added that the villagers had given a go-ahead to sink tubewells.

He said members of the district and union councils and assemblies had agreed to the proposal of launching the project. The engineers will soon formally implement the project for supply of additional 20 million gallons water daily to the locals.

Mr Cheema, who is also the Faisalabad Development Authority, pointed out that the district’s underground water was brackish. The water experts had selected this site to provide potable water to the people.

To redress grievances of the growers of the area, the Punjab government had moved to increase the quantum of the canal water by 20 per cent, which would be supplied to the growers fearing tough days after the tubewells’ sinking.

A package was being finalized to provide many incentives to the growers, who would also be offered a special grant. A committee would give the final touches to the package shortly.

Security: The local police is going to beef up security in the old city, comprising eight bazaars and Circular Road, to arrest escalating crime graph.

DPO Capt Muhammad Amin retired told newsmen on Friday that a wireless station and control room would be set up at the Clock Tower to monitor police patrolling and spot suspects.

Elite police vehicles, he said, would move round the clock on Circular Road and would enter the bazaars on a SOS call. All the exit/entry points of the eight bazaars would be guarded by special police guards and private security personnel hired by traders. Trained by police, private guards would wear identical uniforms (like police).

Capt Amin said video cameras would be installed to identify culprits striking in the bazaars. Besides, he said, 180 constables and 18 ASIs would also patrol the bazaars in two shifts.

About finances, the DPO said the CPLC (city-police liaison committee) and trade bodies would be major financiers of the security plan.

He said the entire security plan had also been designed by the CLPC.

The DPO said as the district was in the grip of crime wave, all segments of the society should come forward and formulate security plans for their areas. ‘Thikri pehra’ by villagers would be fully supported by police.

He said the District Nazim, DCO, UC Nazims and councillors would also be taken into confidence on the security plan.

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