Multan: Work on various beautification, rehabilitation and urban improvement projects is progressing rapidly across the four districts of Multan Division on the special directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
A meeting chaired by Multan Division Commissioner Amir Karim Khan reviewed in detail the progress of ongoing projects in Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran and Vehari.
The commissioner directed the concerned departments to maintain the pace of work while ensuring quality and durability of the projects. He emphasized effective coordination among all relevant departments to provide citizens with a better environment and improved urban facilities.
He directed that along with completion of beautification projects, an effective system for their permanent maintenance and operation should also be established to ensure that the facilities and improvement works remain functional and sustainable for a long period.
He further directed the authorities to explore the possibility of deploying dedicated staff, in coordination with contractors and municipal bodies, for maintenance of completed markets and public places. He said staff should be available in shifts to ensure cleanliness, upkeep of pedestrian pathways, parking areas and other facilities, as well as to prevent damage to public amenities.
The commissioner also directed that parking areas developed under the projects should have clearly marked parking lines and vehicles should be parked according to designated angles. He said staff could initially be deployed for parking management, while a coordinated system could also be developed with traders and business communities.
He stressed that operational arrangements for completed projects should be planned simultaneously, particularly at sites where cafes, washrooms and other public facilities were being established. He directed that their operation and maintenance mechanisms should be finalized before completion of the projects.
The meeting also reviewed the design of ongoing facade upgradation, footpath, parking and rehabilitation works in Hussain Agahi and other historical and commercial areas. The commissioner directed that planning should take into account the movement of pedestrians, vehicles and the overall requirements of citizens.
A briefing was given on the upgradation project of Brands Road, Multan, costing Rs360 million. The project has achieved 83 percent physical progress and is expected to be completed after the arrival of special transformers and electrical wires. The project includes 0.61-kilometre uniform tuff paver, car parking, an underground electricity system and other urban facilities, with parking capacity for 317 vehicles.
The Brands Road project includes 3,700 running feet of drainage, 2,200 running feet of WASA lines and connections, and 116,200 square feet of tuff paver. So far, 3,392 running feet of drainage, 2,200 running feet of WASA lines and connections, and 66,310 square feet of tuff paver have been completed. Installation of the underground electricity system will begin after MEPCO provides the new transformers.
The meeting also reviewed the Rs222 million upgradation and rehabilitation project from Ghanta Ghar to Hussain Agahi, which has achieved 90 percent physical progress. The project includes road paving with tuff tiles, parking areas, an underground cable corridor, footpaths, lighting and uniform signboards.
Multan Deputy Commissioner Dr Faisal Saleem briefed the meeting on the Hussain Agahi Road facade rehabilitation project, covering a corridor of around 1,800 feet and 226 properties. These include 68 old historic buildings, 125 new buildings, four plazas, six mosques, two shrines and 21 dangerous and other buildings. The project includes facade rehabilitation, uniform signboards, underground shifting of electricity and cables, lighting, footpaths, drainage and structural repairs.
The meeting also reviewed progress on beautification schemes in Khanewal, including Model Allah Dad Bazaar Jahanian, Pedestrian Model Bazaar Mian Channu and Pedestrian Model Bazaar Khanewal. Their physical progress was recorded at 100 percent, 94 percent and 53 percent respectively.
The Deputy Commissioner Lodhran briefed the meeting that the beautification scheme of the Main Bazaar near Railway Chowk had a cost of Rs85.64 million. The 700-running-foot project had achieved 100 percent physical progress, with the main entrance gate, shop renovation, tensile shed, tuff tiles, streetlights, WAPDA work, benches and planters completed.
The Deputy Commissioner Vehari informed the meeting that the rehabilitation and improvement project of Railway Bazaar and Gol Chowk had an approved cost of Rs150 million and had achieved 100 percent physical progress. The project included rehabilitation of Railway Bazaar and Gol Chowk, facade improvement, pedestrian pathways, landscaping, fountains, decorative lighting, seating arrangements and other urban facilities.