Punjab Completes 1,129 Roads in 75 Days, Saves Rs11 Billion Through Round-the-Clock Work
Lahore: The Punjab government has announced the completion of 1,129 roads within 75 days, describing it as a landmark achievement in the province’s infrastructure development under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
During a meeting chaired by the chief minister to review the progress of the Communications and Works Department, officials said road construction and rehabilitation projects were carried out in three shifts around the clock, resulting in the completion of a 1,795-kilometre road network at a cost of Rs30 billion. The government also claimed savings of Rs11 billion through efficient project execution.
According to the briefing, a total of 32,000 kilometres of roads are planned to be completed over the next two and a half years, while a record 6,000 kilometres of roads were constructed or rehabilitated between April and July this year.
The meeting reviewed progress under the “Sohne Pind Sohniyan Rahwan” rural road infrastructure programme. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to ensure lane markings on all highways across Punjab to improve road safety.
Officials informed the meeting that 99 percent of the development funds allocated for the road sector had been utilized. Under the Local Roads Programme, 1,567 schemes worth Rs79 billion, covering 3,400 kilometres of roads, have been completed.
The chief minister also approved the construction of six modern service areas along the Lahore Ring Road, which are expected to generate Rs500 million annually. The service areas are scheduled to become fully operational by December, while plans for the beautification of the Ring Road and restoration of its Northern Loop were also approved.
The briefing further stated that field staff worked day and night in three shifts to accelerate project completion. Among the completed projects are the 93.5-kilometre Multan–Vehari dual carriageway, the 24-kilometre Faisalabad–Chiniot dual carriageway, and the 13-kilometre Tourism Highway dual carriageway aimed at promoting tourism.
Officials also reported that 77 percent of the 86 schemes under Phase I of the Road Restoration Programme have been completed, while 31 percent of work on 41 schemes under Phase II has been finished. In addition, all 124 flood-affected roads across the province have been fully restored.
The meeting was informed that 42 new road construction schemes have been included in the new financial programme. It also approved Rs17 billion for local roads, Rs17.23 billion for the Chief Minister’s Initiative, and Rs51 billion for the construction of new roads across Punjab.
Furthermore, 907 projects, including Phase II of the Faisalabad–Chiniot project, have been approved under the public-private partnership model. The government also allocated Rs14 billion to complete road projects that remained unfinished under previous administrations due to funding shortages.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the Communications and Works Department to submit a final timeline for the completion of all under-construction roads across the province.
