SAHIWAL: The Punjab government has released Rs21 million for the reconstruction of Sahiwal-Faisalabad Road to connect it with Samundri interchange.

The reconstruction of 59-kilometre road via Qutab Shahana Bridge at the Ravi will give direct access to commuters to the motorway. The land survey of the project has been completed.

In keeping with the long-standing public demand that the city should be given a direct expressway link to the newly-constructed motorway, the government has given funds for the project. Malik Nadeem Kamran, who remained development minister during the PML-N government, had made efforts to have the project okayed. Later, the Rai family from Chichawatni became strong advocate of the proposal and forwarded the demand to Governor Chaudhry Ghulam Sarwar and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar during their visits to Sahiwal in the past three years.

Rai family scion Chaudhry Murtaza is the only PTI MNA from district and they wanted an expressway connection from Chichawatni city. It is learnt that during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Sahiwal, the proposal was finalised and it was decided to reconstruct Sahiwal-Faisalabad Road and link it with Sumandri interchange.

EXEN (M&R) Ali Sadiqani told Dawn that Rs80 million and Rs120 million would be spent on the reconstruction of road from College Chowk to Qutab Shahana Bridge, Sahiwal and from Qutab Shahana Bridge to Sumandri interchange, Faisalabad, respectively.

Commissioner Nadir Chattha has ordered immediate tendering of the project which will be completed before June 30, 2021.

CONDOLENCE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Sunday condoled the death of Malik Iqbal Langriyal at his Chichawatni residence.

Langriyal died of chest infection on Feb 7 last at the age of 78. The chief minister offered condolence to his son Malik Nauman Langriyal who is senior minister in the PTI provincial cabinet.

The condolence became a political gathering of the PTI local and national leaders. Jahangir Tareen and Malik Nouraz Shakoor were among those present there.

Langriyal was one of the most senior politicians of Chichawatni and he was known to be close to the Establishment. During the Gen Zia Martial Law, he became chairman, Zila Council, Sahiwal. He thrice won his provincial assembly seat in 1985-88, 1988-1990 and then in 2008.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2021