Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi presided over the 8th meeting of the Planning & Development Board to assess the progress of various developmental projects. Utilizing drone footage, he scrutinized the advancements of ongoing projects and emphasized the need for timely completion while maintaining high-quality standards.
During the meeting, it was communicated that an invitation will be extended to the prime minister to inaugurate the Imamia Colony overhead bridge in the coming month, as the project nears its final phase. CM Naqvi issued directives to expedite the completion of multiple projects, including the Faisalabad, Abdullahpur, and Multan-Shujaabad flyovers, the University of Gujranwala, and the upgradation of Lahore Zoo and Safari Zoo. The construction of the Ravi bridge was deemed satisfactory, with half of the pile foundation work already completed. Similarly, the subways, Budha Ravi Bridge and other necessities for the Babu Sabu-Niazi interchange controlled access corridor road have been finalized.
It was announced that nine bridges on Lahore Ring Road SL-III, Multan Road interchange, toll plaza and the main carriageway will be completed by Jan 31. Additionally, six bridges, four underpasses and a sub-base of the Gujranwala-Lahore-Sialkot motorway link road are also set for completion by the same date. The revamping of the Gagumatta-Kasur road and the establishment of a sewerage disposal station have been successfully concluded.
Further updates revealed that the surgical, administrative, medical block, basement and exterior of Services Hospital will be completed this week. Simultaneously, ongoing work on the general upgrade and bed capacity improvement of Mayo Hospital is in progress, alongside enhancements to the external aspects of the building. The completion of the eye ward, children’s emergency, diagnostic block and children’s surgery at Mayo Hospital is anticipated soon. Nishtar-II, DG Khan Institute of Cardiology and the sarai of Multan Institute of Cardiology are expected to be completed this week.
The meeting delved into the progress of Allied Hospital Faisalabad, Ganga Ram Hospital and Holy Family Hospital’s upgradation. The Fatima Jinnah Institute of Dental Sciences is scheduled to open this month. The meeting directed the completion of the indoor ward repair of Nishter Hospital by Jan 31, with its OPD, emergency, and other associated projects to follow suit. Allama Iqbal Hospital Sialkot’s gynaecology ward, general OPD, admin block, urology ward and the first floor are also nearing completion. The repair and maintenance of Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Lahore’s children hospital and general hospital were also reviewed.
The meeting acknowledged that Lahore Zoo’s parking area, bridge, animal and bird houses, cafeteria and washroom will be completed within a week. Similarly, the completion of animal houses, the hospital, roadworks, salt range, parking, food court and information office at Safari Zoo is imminent.
In an effort to enhance security, 5076 CCTV cameras will be installed at 775 surveillance sites in Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala through the Punjab Safe Cities Authority.
PAFDA lab and two phases of the biogas plant in Gujjar Colony are also slated for completion soon. A comprehensive report outlining the establishment of a model e-registration office in each division was presented during the meeting, with the Chief Secretary, Chairman P&D, secretaries, PITB officials, and others in attendance.
