LAHORE: The World Bank is set to provide funds amounting to Rs16bn for development schemes planned to be launched in various cities and towns under the Punjab Cities Programme (PCM) during the upcoming fiscal year starting from July 1.

On the other hand, work on several development projects being executed currently under the PCM in collaboration with the WB has entered the final stage, according to Punjab Caretaker Minister for Local Government & Community Development Department Ibrahim Murad.

“At present, the schemes worth Rs23bn are underway on an advanced stage under the PCM in 16 cities of Punjab in collaboration with the World Bank. In the next fiscal year (2023-24), more schemes are set to be launched under the PCM for which the bank will provide Rs16bn,” the minister said in a meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting held to review the pace of work on the schemes was attended by Syed Zahid Aziz, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Punjab Municipal Development Funds Company (PMDFC)—a subsidiary of the local government department, and others concerned. The meeting was told that work on the schemes related to water supply, drainage, solid waste management, construction of roads and streets, parks, bus stands etc was going on at a fast pace. The projects are being completed in Daska, Hafizabad, Jhelum, Kamoke, Muridke, Wazirabad, Gojra, Jaranwala, Jhang, Kamalia, Okara, Bahawalpur, Burewala, Khanewal, Kot Addu and Vaheri.

Minister says projects already underway with WB funding in 16 cities

Mr Murad was of the view that the ongoing projects under World Bank’s Punjab Cities Programme should be completed within the stipulated timeframe. He said the provision of clean drinking water to citizens in the underdeveloped areas and implementation of drainage projects should be ensured on a priority basis. The employees of local governments must be provided with training to complete the projects transparently and achieve sustainable results, the minister said and added that implementation of effective public grievance redress system, transparency, financial management and environmental guidelines must be followed to improve governance of the local governments.

COMMISSIONER: Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa directed the officers concerned to make the best traffic plan in advance while launching the development projects in the city.

“It is essential to give proper traffic routes before the launch of the development projects,” he said while presiding over a meeting.

He said the Central Business District, Lahore Development Authority and the Lahore Ring Road Authority should share designs of their projects with the traffic police. The convenience of the citizens, he said, must be taken into account during the development works in the provincial capital.

Mr Randhawa sought a traffic diversion plan around Shahdara, Akbar Chowk, Samanabad and Lahore Bridge projects.

On this occasion, the CTO gave a briefing on the measures taken to ensure the flow of traffic.

Mr Randhawa said the completion of the ongoing and proposed projects will solve the traffic problems in the city. Representatives of the LDA, CBD and Ring Road, Tepa, Nespak, Lesco and related departments attended the meeting.

RAILWAYS: A team of the Pakistan Railways (Lahore Division), led by Divisional Commercial Officer Rubab Malik, paid a surprise visit to the Allama Iqbal Express and captured 19 passengers travelling without tickets.

She imposed heavy fines on them and issued them tickets.

Meanwhile, the Railway Police also captured a couple of criminals involved in printing and selling fake rail tickets.

On the other hand, in a meeting, the Lahore Development Authority chief town planner directed the officials concerned to designate separate parking for motorcycles and bicycles through lane marking in city parking lots on nine model roads.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2023