Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique has said that 67 underground tanks are being built in 52 cities for rainwater storage under the Punjab Development Program (PDP). He pledged that every effort will be made to complete the work of drains before the monsoon. He was speaking at a meeting held at the Civil Secretariat in which schemes worth Rs. 310 billion for 51 towns under PDP were reviewed. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Special Secretary Asia Gul also attended the meeting, while Project Director Ahmer Sohail Kaifi briefed on the progress made so far.
Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique said that work awards have been made for two more cities, taking the total number of cities to 48. "Work on the schemes of the remaining 3 cities will start during the current month. He said that funds have been transferred to P&D for the last city included in the program, Kharian. "The feasibility study, he went on, "for Kharian will be completed soon”. He directed that the Project Director and Assistant Project Directors should visit the sites. "I myself am also visiting different cities. Completion of underground water tanks is our priority”, he remarked.Zeeshan Rafique said that 6 roadside tanks are being constructed in Khushab 7 in Joharabad and 5 in Bhalwal. "2 underground tanks will be constructed in Bhera, 8 in Silanwali and 3 in Sahiwal. Similarly, one tank is being constructed in Jalalpur Jatan, 5 in Lala Musa and 2 in Kharian”, he added. The Local Government Minister said that work has started for construction of 3 storage tanks in Phalia, 19 in Kamoke. "9 underground tanks are being constructed in Wazirabad and 7 in Alipur Chatha”, he said. The Local Government Minister said that excavation has been done for making of one underground tank in Pattoki, 10 in Kot Radha Kishan. "Similarly Phoolnager and Kudian Khass will get 4 tanks each while Bhakkar will have 5 and Mianwali will have 6 tanks. "Excavation has been done for construction of 6 tanks in Mianwali, 5 in Vehari and 7 in Mailsi”, he figured out. Zeeshan Rafique said that 9 underground water storage tanks will be constructed for Burewala/Gago Mandi while 11 will be constructed in Khanewal. "6 tanks are also being constructed for Abdul Hakeem, 3 for Mian Channu and 6 for Kabirwala. 6 tanks are being constructed for TT Singh, Kamalia each and 10 for Gojra”, he added. Moreover he said that 13 roadside storage tanks will be constructed in Jaranwala, 7 in Tandlianwala and 5 in Chak Jhumra. "Excavation has been done for 6 underground water tanks in Sangla Hill and Pindi Bhattian each. Similarly 7 rainwater storage tanks will be built in Daska, 2 in Pasrur, 12 in Sambrial”, vowed the minister. "There are plans to build 7 tanks for Narowal, 3 fo3 Renala Khurd and Deepalpur each while 12 for Shakargarh.Zeeshan Rafique said that 5 same tanks will be built in Muridke, 3,3 for Attock/Hazro each and 14 fo4 Kot Abdul Malik”. Zeeshan further said that 14 tanks will be built in Ferozewala, 4 in Kot Addu 4, Layyah 6, Bahawalnagar 1 and 7 in Lodhran will be built. Similarly 7 such rainwater storage tanks will be built in Chichawatni, 3 in Hasilpur.The provincial minister said that 13 billion rupees have been saved in the PDP so far through transparent tendering. "There should be no compromise on the safety of excavation sites” he urged. He said that 6.6 billion has been allocated for suction, jetting, de-silting machines and de-watering sets. He urged the Municipal Officers Infrastructure to play their role in ensuring implementation of the instructions issued for the PDP.
