LAHORE: Construction of a high security prison in southern Punjab was among the 19 development schemes approved by the provincial government on Tuesday with an estimated cost of Rs25.708 billion.

Presided over by Punjab Planning and Development Board Chairman Irfan Elahi, the 40th meeting of the Provincial Development Working Party of 2013-14 fiscal year approved:

• Construction of a high security prison in Sahiwal at a cost ofRs1.033 billion

• Land acquisition and partial development of area development scheme, Sheikhupura-II, at a cost of Rs429.812 millionwidening of Canal Road Underpass on Jail Road (Underpass Chobucha) and remodeling of all existing underpasses at a cost of Rs8.504 billion

• Construction of an elevated expressway along with Metro Bus Service from Jail Road or Main Boulevard of Gulberg to Ring Road Motorway M-2, Lahore, at a cost of Rs5.719 billion

• Construction of a dual carriageway approach road from Barki Road to Ashiyana Housing Scheme, Lahore, (length 2.278km), service road (PC-II) at a cost of Rs578.254 million

• A bus terminal-cum-commercial complex at Lahore railway station (PC-II) at a cost of Rs20 million

The other projects included:

• Establishment of a zoo in Multan (PC-II) at a cost of Rs7.7 million

• Dualisation of Hasilpur-Bahawalpur Road (length=77.25km) in Bahawalpur district at a cost of Rs4.945 billion

• Hiring of a consultant for preparation of TORs or bidding documents for international bidding regarding topographic survey and geotechnical studies for land sliding zoning of Murree Hill area, mainly located between old Rawalpindi-Murree Road and Islamabad Murree Expressway, in Murree (PC-II) at a cost of Rs1.476 million

• Dualisation or improvement of Golra Road from GT Road to Kashmir Highway, Islamabad (length=1.92km) in Rawalpindi district at a cost of Rs323.128 million.