CPEC transforming all underdeveloped areas of Pakistan without any discrimination: Punjab CM

Lahore:  Pakistani Punjab province’s Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was transforming all the underdeveloped areas of Pakistan without any discrimination.

Speaking at an event here after laying the foundation stone of the signal-free Shahkam Chowk flyover project valuing Pakistani Rs 4.23 billion, to ease the movement of 125000 vehicles daily, CM Buzdar said most of the development projects eventually become part of the CPEC directly or indirectly. “CPEC is a mega project encompassing major development initiatives even by the Pakistani government. Every project now has a link with the CPEC, either directly or indirectly,” he said.

The CM gave the credit of the composite development process and achievements of targets to Prime Minister Imran Khan, adding that the Punjab provincial government was following the policy of balanced development so that everyone could enjoy the benefits.

The CM vowed that everyone will be given the right of development along with equitable access to healthcare and education facilities. The CM said the government was giving attention to provide the facilities to the overcrowded areas adding that improvement of roads’ infrastructure is a priority agenda.

He said the 606-metre long Shahkam Chowk flyover, two-sided with each side having three lanes project will be completed in 10 months .Under the project, he said, a 6-kilometre long defence road will also be dualized from labour colony to Multan Road, along with the construction of two small bridges each at the Hudiara Drain and canal. “The government has started development schemes in neglected areas of the provincial metropolis while identifying public needs,” he continued.

The CM maintained the government has completed several projects in Lahore including the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar underpass, entrance point at Thokar Niaz Baig, a pedestrian bridge at Jinnah Hospital and construction of an underground water tank for rainwater. “Similarly, the Miyawaki urban forests were being developed at different points in Lahore,” he added.

An organised master plan 2050 ‘Center of civilisation and prosperous Lahore’ was being devised under LDA’s supervision to develop the provincial metropolis according to future needs, he said.

The CM said a turbo roundabout would be built at Shahdara Chowk to resolve traffic gridlock by raising separate passages for heavy and routine traffic. Work on Sheranwala gate flyover and Ferozepur Road Gulab Devi underpass projects is in progress while another underpass will be constructed at Samanabad Chowk, he said.

The CM asserted that the Ravi River Urban Development Project and Central Business District were game-changer initiatives to transform Lahore into a world-class city. Along with the establishment of a children health university, a mother and child block will also be completed with Rs 7 billion at Ganga Ram Hospital, he added.

The CM announced that a new general hospital will be built with Rs14 billion and a surface water treatment plant will be established at Mehmood Booti Shahdara and Shadbagh with Rs 10 billion. Another surface water treatment plant was being set up at the BRB Canal, he said.

Buzdar said that work was in progress on the water disposal project from Larechs Colony to Gulshan-e-Ravi, rehabilitation of historical heritage at Lahore Fort and Dilkash Lahore project to highlight the multifarious beauty of the historical city. A tower facility will be constructed near the high court for the legal fraternity and phase-II of MPAs’ hostel will be completed with Rs 3.44 billion, he added.

A water supply project for three major union councils in Lahore will be completed with Rs 1.65 billion, the CM said and disclosed that a project has been devised to relocate markets around ring road for maintaining smooth traffic flow in the city. New emergency blocks consisting of 400, 400 beds each will be constructed in Services Hospital and Jinnah Hospital, along with the construction of hostel in Services Hospital, he added.

The CM said the government had allowed 66 percent increase in development budget, 185 percent hike in health budget, 286 percent increase for higher education, 29 percent increase for school education, 306 percent hike for agriculture and 307 percent rise in industries budget.

Provincial Minister Mahmoodur Rasheed, Vice Chairman Wasa and member LDA governing body Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood and member Lahore Development Authority (LDA) governing body Tariq Sana Bajwa also spoke on the occasion.