LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the SL-4 Lahore Ring Road project and sought a weekly progress report on road projects across the province.

Chairing a meeting to review infrastructure projects on Tuesday, she directed the authorities to ensure timely and high-quality construction of the Multan-Vehari Road. She was informed that base and sub-base work on the province’s first ‘dust-free road’ had been completed, while asphalt work was in progress, according to a handout.

The meeting granted approval to Phase-II of the Sialkot Ring Road, which would extend from Wazirabad Road to Sialkot-Pasrur Road. A proposed Thal Expressway, linking Bhakkar and Layyah, with the M-4 motorway was presented for consideration.

Progress on the Rawalpindi Signal-Free Corridor was reviewed, with officials briefing that the project included seven underpasses and one overhead bridge. The meeting reviewed 133 ongoing projects under the CM’s initiative, along with 125 additional schemes. Overall, 2,143 road sector projects have been initiated across Punjab, including 258 under-completion. So far, 376 projects have been completed, while work is being done on 86 schemes.

Under the Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase I, 85 schemes were launched, of which 38 had been completed and 47 were in progress. In Phase II, 43 schemes were initiated, with 18 completed and 25 still underway.

The chief minister noted that, for the first time in Punjab’s history, over 12,000km roads had been constructed or rehabilitated. She emphasized that special attention had been given to rural link roads, adding that improved road infrastructure would facilitate access from farms to markets and from factories to commercial centres.

A review of 462 ongoing road schemes in various cities was also conducted during the meeting. The chief minister further directed that tree plantation be ensured alongside road projects.

A pictorial briefing on the Lahore Tourism Highway was also presented. The chief minister ordered that all road sector projects be completed by June 30.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2026