LAHORE: As several roads are dug up in the provincial metropolis as part of Lahore Development Programme (LDP), the authorities concerned could not meet the June 30 completion deadline.

As the departments concerned could not complete the projects in various localities and roads on-time, the people and commuters are facing a great deal of inconvenience in the monsoon.

Sources said when the Maryam Nawaz administration had approved the LDP, the chief minister was assured that the work especially on roads would be completed well within the stipulated time (before monsoon). But it could not complete several projects and torrential rains have compounded the people’s problem and the PML-N government has failed to hold anyone accountable.

On Wednesday, CM Maryam Nawaz presided over a meeting to review the Lahore Development Programme and Punjab Development Programme.

CM sets November deadline for Lahore Development Programme phase-I

The Lahore deputy commissioner gave a briefing on the progress of LDP. The meeting was told that out of 5,643 projects of phase-I of LDP around half (2,593) had been completed so far.

Out of 3,705 projects of Lahore Municipal Corporation, 2,274 have been completed. Out of 252 projects of Wasa, Lahore, 170 have been completed so far.

The meeting reviewed the progress of a total 1,573 projects related to Wasa.

Maryam Nawaz set a target of completing phase-I of LDP by upcoming November.

Some 146 development projects of Allama Iqbal Town, Wagha and Aziz Bhatti Town have been included in phase-II of LDP.

“A report on the construction, repair and rehabilitation projects of 189 cities under the Punjab Development Programme was also submitted to the CM,” a handout said adding that it was decided to give foremost priority to the most deteriorated streets and areas in the PDP under phase-I.

“It was also decided to launch development projects on a priority basis in 66 cities. Water tanks, drain disposal stations and trunk sewerage will be built in 66 cities of Punjab,” it said.

Speaking to the participants, the CM said no city in Punjab should be deprived of the benefits of ongoing development programmes. “As many as 189 cities will be beautified and developed on the model of Lahore across Punjab,” she said.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025