LAHORE, May 19: The Punjab government has evolved a plan to lay new and widen old roads throughout the province at a cost of Rs13.3 billion.

This was stated by Communication and Works Minister Zaheeruddin Khan at a press conference here on Monday.

He said the government would extend 303-kilometre-long roads to 24 feet in eight districts at a cost of Rs4.09 billion.

The roads are Sargodha-Khushab Road, Kamalpur-Chiniot-Sargodha Road, Pindi Bhattian-Chiniot Road, Jhang-Shorkot Road, Jhang-Toba Tek Singh Road, Kabirwala-Shorkot Road and Shorkot-Mahi Sial (N-5) Road. By-pass would also be built in Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Kamalia.

The minister said after completion of the project, Multan, Vehari and Bahawalnagar would be connected to the motorway.

He said 25 roads in 19 districts of the province whose length was 1,020 kms, would be widened to 20 feet at a cost of Rs6.63 billion.

Mr Khan said work on these projects would begin in July and completed in the minimum possible time.

He warned that if any government official tried to embezzle the development funds he would not escape punishment.

He denied that the rate of toll was being increased.

The minister said a complaint cell was established in the department with deputy secretary as its chief to look into such matters.

He said inquiries against the corrupt officials of the department were also under way.