NAROWAL: Four development projects worth Rs17 billion will be completed under the Sialkot City Development Package by March 2022, says Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq.

The Sialkot deputy commissioner said at a meeting of the District Development Committee that work of laying sewerage line on Kashmir Road, Khadim Ali Road and Defence Road would be completed by March. He said the plan for re-carpeting of these roads and construction of Shahabpura flyover would also be completed.

The completion of these major projects, he said, would enhance the beauty of the city and reduce the traffic problems to a great extent.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Youth Affairs Usman Dar also attended the development meeting and reviewed the pace of work on the ongoing projects in Sialkot city. Sialkot Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Murtaza, executive engineers and representatives of Nespak were among the participants.

Mr Dar said there would be no compromise on the quality of work on these projects and a weekly review meeting would be held to ensure that all tasks were completed within the stipulated time. He said Kashmir Road would be made a model road and three “C-turns” would be made to make this road signal free.

Besides a service road along the road, pedestrian bridges would be constructed as required, he said and urged the officials of Nespak to be proactive and ensure quality in the projects. He said the standard of work should be top class.

He said work of laying sewerage lines on Defence Road should be completed by the second week of February so that the traffic could be fully restored with the completion of Shahabpura flyover in March.

Mr Dar said he would contact Federal Minister for Railways Azam Swati to get an NOC for the flyover. He directed the officers of all departments including the highways to timely inform them about any obstacle in the completion of the projects.

The special assistant would also contact the Punjab government for release of funds for various under-construction roads of the city, especially Adalat Garha Road. He also directed the traffic police to make immediate plans to solve the traffic problems in the city.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2022