SIALKOT, Dec 4: The allocation for development package announced by the chief minister for Sialkot has been increased from Rs2 billion to Rs 2.5 billion by the Punjab government.

District Nazim Mian Naeem Javed told newsmen here on Thursday that the construction of a bridge over River Tavi at Saidpur Pattan would start soon, while work on the widening of Sialkot-Sambrial-Wazirabad road and Sialkot-Eminabad road would started in January next.

He said that the district government has started a plan for developing facilities for sports by allocating two per cent of its development funds.

He said the provincial government has released Rs230 million for Sialkot city development, Rs100 million for water supply and drainage schemes for Pasrur tehsil, Rs20 million for sewerage and drainage scheme for Chawinda, Rs100 for augmentation of water supply system of Sialkot, Rs80 million for the reconstruction of 80-bed Daska Civil Hospital and Rs100 million for Daska city’s sewerage and drainage scheme.

The Nazim said the work on all the projects would start in January.

Mian Naeem said 125 acres of land would soon be acquired in Pasrur for starting a cadet college by the district government at a cost of Rs800 million while land had been acquired for setting up an engineering college. The under construction medical college would be fully operational by the middle of 2004.

He said the Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan (TDCP) has offered to construct 16 huts in the park being built over two kilometres area near Head Marala by the district government at a cost of Rs80 million.

DCO Capt Zahid Saeed (retired) said the irrigation department has prepared a feasibility report for the timely launch of remodelling of seasonal nullahs Aik, Bhed and Palkhu.