RAWALPINDI: As many as 500 new development projects worth Rs86.9 billion will be launched next month in Rawalpindi division under the Punjab Annual Development Programme (ADP) and it will be ensured that the projects are completed according to the given timelines.

This was stated by Commissioner Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah while chairing the meeting of Divisional Development Working Party (DDWP), which reviewed progress on the ongoing development projects in Rawalpindi division, including the four districts of Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum.

Mr Shah stressed that no compromise would be made on the quality of the project work and regular monitoring of the schemes would be ensured. He directed the officials of the relevant departments to visit their respective projects on a regular basis and update the public representatives as well as the commissioner’s office about the progress.

“Apart from this, the Punjab government has launched Smart Monitoring of Development Projects Application and all the officials concernedshould ensure that data of their relevant schemes is updated on a regular basis,” he said.

Commissioner says regular monitoring of schemes will be ensured

The commissioner further directed that the policy guidelines for the ongoing development projects should be implemented throughout the division in accordance with the law. He said use of quality materials and speedy completion of projects should be ensured.

Briefing participants of the meeting about the schemes, it was stated that 500 new projects worth Rs86.98 billion were being launched in Rawalpindi division under the provincial Annual Development Programme.

It was stated that of the total 361 schemes of Rawalpindi district 264 were new and 97 ongoing. The new schemes include 33 of the Highway Division, 12 of Rural Connectivity Division, 72 of the Building Division, 50 of the Local Government and Community Development, 29 of Public Health Engineering Department, five of Rawalpindi Development Authority, four of Sports Department, 50 of Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), two of Archaeology Department, two of Tourism Department and one each of Small Dams, allied hospitals, Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority, Wildlife Department and Parks and Horticulture Authority.

The meeting also reviewed and approved three projects of the Building Department, one of the Highway Division and three of Wasa.

According to details, Wasa schemes include provision and laying of sewer lines in Union Council 21 to Union Council 29, and sewer lines and drainage system in UC-1 to UC-12 and UCs 36 and 37.

The building department’s schemes included establishment of the government college for girls in Garhi Sikandar, government girls high school in Taxila city and government girls high school in Malikabad area of Jalala Union Council.

Similarly, the Highway Division also presented a scheme of construction of underpass for pedestrians along with shops at Chur Chowk on Peshawar Road.

The meeting was attended by Director Development Nazia Sudhan, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Finance and Planning) Amber Gilani, Deputy Director Development Saima Ghafoor and other relevant government officials.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2021