GUJRANWALA, Oct 1: A project to establish a new jail in the city has been put into cold storage while the construction work on six barracks in the central jail could not be completed so far, it is learnt here.

A few years ago, the provincial government had announced establishment of a new jail on Sheikhupura Road on 100 acres of land to solve the problem of overcrowding in central jail, but no progress was made so far.

When contacted jail superintendent Malik Shaukat confirmed it, saying that the Punjab government did not take any practical step since the announcement.

He expressed the hope that work on new barracks would be completed till December this year. He said the barracks were being constructed near city localities.

Mr Shaukat said the central jail had the capacity of 913 prisoners where a record 4,138 inmates had been detained. He claimed that the jail administration was providing better facilities to prisoners.

Demo: The residents of Monji Ground on Monday staged a protest demonstration against Wasa officials for deliberately delaying repairs of the water supply motors in the area.

The motors supplying water to the area had went out of order over a week back.

The protesters chanted slogans against Wasa administration and alleged the agency officials were demanding bribe from consumers for getting the motors repaired.