GUJRAT, Nov 16: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has said that a water supply and sewerage project for the city will be initiated soon at a total cost of Rs600 million.

He was speaking at a press conference in Zahoor Palace on Monday. He said the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had conducted a survey for the project and promised to give funds for the purpose.

"But without waiting for the funds from JICA, our people have conducted a fresh survey of the scheme which now cost only Rs600 million as the agency experts have earlier estimated Rs1,100 million (Rs1.1 billion)," he said.

The chief minister said initially a water treatment plant would be erected near Kathala village while the project would be completed within a year. He said the district government would also cooperate for the scheme.

Mr Elahi said the Gujrat University would be made a centre of excellence in the region with technical departments to develop the fan industry.

Meanwhile, former PPP city president Manzoor Hussain Dar joined the ruling Muslim League at a function hosted by PML provincial president (women) Shahana Farooqi at her residence.

Speaking on the occasion, district Nazim Chaudhry Shafaat Hussain said the chief minister had given a fund of Rs90 million for development projects in union council No 45, 46, 47, 48 and 49.