Punjab bans digging, damage after new roads are built

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered a ban on digging or carrying out any kind of damage to newly

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered a ban on digging or carrying out any kind of damage to newly constructed roads across the province.

The directive was issued during a special meeting chaired by the chief minister, where development projects under the Own Source Revenue (OSR) programme for Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal and Faisalabad were reviewed and approved.

Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to ensure that manholes installed on roads remain level with the road surface. She also ordered that once a new road is constructed, no excavation or damage should be allowed without proper justification.

The chief minister further instructed officials to construct standard drainage systems alongside every newly built road. She also sought separate timelines for all approved development schemes to ensure timely completion.

According to the meeting’s decisions, beautification projects for 10 roads in Lahore were approved. Authorities were also directed to improve the appearance of the Orange Line train track along Multan Road.

Maryam Nawaz ordered that road development projects should remain dust-free during construction. She also approved projects for the construction and expansion of roads in rural areas on the outskirts of Lahore.

Several development schemes were approved for Kasur, including road construction and expansion, solar-powered streetlights and beautification works. In Sheikhupura, five projects involving sewerage and pumping stations as well as road construction and expansion were approved.

The meeting approved 42 OSR development projects for Multan Division. The schemes cover areas including Khanewal, Kabirwala, Mian Channu, Jahanian and Tulamba.

Six projects were approved for Vehari, covering roads, disposal stations and solarisation initiatives. Lodhran also received approval for six development schemes, including a children’s park and road construction and expansion.

In Bahawalpur, 12 OSR projects were approved, while three schemes were approved for Rahim Yar Khan and eight for Bahawalnagar. Sahiwal received approval for 13 projects, Okara four and Pakpattan 14.

The approved schemes include road beautification, construction and expansion, solar streetlights, sports arenas and other infrastructure projects.

For Faisalabad, 13 road construction and repair projects were approved, along with six projects in Chiniot and 18 in Jhang.

The meeting also approved 13 projects for Rawalpindi, six for Attock, four for Murree, and seven each for Jhelum and Chakwal.