LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to launch Khadim-i-Punjab Green Roads Programme in rural areas.

The decision was taken at a meeting held here on Thursday and chaired by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The meeting approved to allocate Rs15 billion for the programme in the current fiscal year.

The roads included in the programme would be carpeted with a width of at least 12 feet.

The chief minister directed that an effective mechanism should be devised for the maintenance of roads and committees headed by divisional commissioners should be set up for the purpose.

He said besides repair and construction of roads, drainage system should also be constructed and tree plantation carried out on both sides of the roads. He said he would personally monitor the programme of repair and construction of the roads and review the pace of progress on a fortnightly basis.

The policy of third-party audit will be adopted for evaluating the standard of the roads.

Seeking databank of all small and big roads in the province, Mr Sharif directed that the Punjab Information Technology Board should prepare a digital record of all roads.

The communication and works secretary earlier gave a detailed briefing on the programme.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2015