Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday chaired a second consecutive meeting to review ongoing development projects across the province, during which divisional commissioners presented progress reports through video link.
The chief minister directed authorities to install polyester-strip safety nets beneath manhole covers across Punjab to enhance public safety. Under the initiative, safety nets will be fixed inside manholes, gutters and drainage systems. A pilot project has already been launched in Gujranwala, where polyester safety nets will be installed on 30,000 manholes.
She ordered the early completion of road projects on a priority basis to facilitate citizens and directed officials to ensure uniform-style and standard-design signboards on all roads. She also instructed authorities to improve urban aesthetics by introducing uniform colours for roadside shopfronts.
The CM directed the installation of wall-mounted planters in narrow bazaars and markets and ordered the implementation of a uniform colour scheme for shop shutters. She also announced that the main bazaar of Taxila would be transformed into a heritage street.
During the briefing, the meeting was informed that 31 projects, including roads, parks, flower markets, commercial areas and a zoo, were under completion in Gujranwala Division. Tuff tiles would be laid from Nawab Chowk to Crown Cinema, Pasrur Road to Ferozewala Road, and Aslam Butt Road to Hafizabad Road. Traffic signals would also be installed at nine busy points, including Passport Road, Ferozewala Road and Civil Hospital Road in Gujranwala, while streetlights would be installed on Nowshera Road and Eminabad Road.
The CM approved the construction of roads from Bypass Road Kalaske to GT Road and from GT Road to Peep Naki village in Wazirabad. She directed the early completion of the Kamoke Edhi Road Main GT Road to Railway Road project. Family parks would also be established in Saroki Eminabad, Kamoke and Nowshera Virkan.
A jogging track would be constructed along the Matu Bhiki Canal in Nowshera Virkan, while the local bus stand would undergo beautification, renovation and rehabilitation.
The meeting also approved the construction and restoration of Nawaz Sharif Park over nine acres in Gujrat, where facilities including an open gym, paddle tennis courts and jogging tracks would be provided.
In Sara-i-Alamgir, a state-of-the-art service road would be constructed from Kareem Mall to Jamia Mosque Road along GT Road, with benches and plantation alongside the route.
Five road construction and rehabilitation projects were approved for Mandi Bahauddin. In Rawalpindi, the chief minister directed authorities to complete beautification projects within three months, while progress on ongoing works along Adiala Road and Chakri Road was also reviewed.
The CM also ordered the closure of open drains in the Daulat Nagar main bazaar area of Gujar Khan. The meeting further approved four road constructions and rehabilitation projects each for Kotli Sattian in Murree and Jhelum.