GUJRAT: The Punjab government has approved Rs70 million for repair and patchwork of the old GT Road passing through the city from Kathala Chenab to the Rehmania Bridge.

The work on the 14 kilometers long road was inaugurated on Monday by the Gujrat DCO Liaqat Ali Chatha near the Kathala Chenab’s railway underpass.

Official sources told Dawn the district government had sought funds for beautification and repair of the road. Work on developing a greenbelt and plantation on both sides of the road as well as central medians was already underway for over a month.

The portion needed fresh carpeting due to its dilapidated condition as the last time it had been carpeted in 2007.

A drain along the old G.T. Road was also severely damaged due to which sewage and rainwater often accumulated on the main highway.

A sum of Rs300 million was required for carpeting along the road but the provincial government issued Rs70 million for repair and patchwork only. District government officials as well as local PML-N circles were hopeful of getting approval for fresh carpeting soon.

The Gujrat Tehsil Municipal Administration has already been tasked with getting LED lights installed on the existing electricity poles on the road.

Speaking on the occasion, the DCO said the project would be completed within 30 days whereas the Gujrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry would develop the green area on the center median of the road.

ONE DISH: Local catering companies have been found violating the marriage act by serving a variety of dishes instead of just one-dish meal allowed.

The issue was taken up by a local association of marriage hall owners during a meeting with the district administration.

A delegation of the marriage halls association called on Assistant Commissioner Afshan Rubab and apprised her of the violation of the marriage act and one-dish meal by local caterers.

They claimed the district administration had failed to check the violation and customers were pressing hall owners to serve the dishes offered by caterers. The AC assured the delegation of the administration’s action against the violators.