Modern infrastructure essential for development: Shahbaz

[Salman]

Modern infrastructure essential for development: Shahbaz
Friday, January 17, 2014 - Lahore—Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that modern infrastructure is of vital importance for speedy development and in view of this fact Punjab government is utilizing billions of rupees on the improvement of infrastructure in the province.

He said that a network of roads, bridges, flyovers and underpasses was laid during the last five years’ tenure while mega projects of development and infrastructure were completed across the province in a transparent manner.

He said that the projects of New Azadi Chowk and New Circular Road have been started in the provincial metropolis, which will be completed within three months at a cost of 5.35 billion rupees. He said that Punjab government has given a modern and organized public transport system to the masses in the form of metro bus service due to which a new culture of transport has introduced in the country. He was presiding over a high level meeting regarding infrastructure and extension of metro bus service project here Thursday.

Chairman Lahore Transport Company Kh. Ahmed Hasaan, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary Transport, MD Metro Bus Authority, NESPAK officers as well as concerned officials were present.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme of provision of modern, comfortable, safe and inexpensive transport facilities to the masses. He said that special attention is being paid to the development of infrastructure for ridding the people of traffic jams.

He said that work is being carried out expeditiously on New Azadi Chowk project under which a flyover and elevated roundabout is being constructed. He said that two lakh vehicles will benefit from this project daily. Similarly, he said, under New Circular Road project a roundabout and two U-turns will be constructed.

He said that these projects will improve the flow of traffic as well as result in provision of signal-free corridor to the people which will help save precious time of the masses and rid them of traffic jams. The Chief Minister said that though the people have to face some inconvenience during the execution of the project but it will result in permanent relief.

He said that metro bus service is a glorious project of Punjab government which has given new identity to the city. He said that more than one lakh 60 thousand persons travel by metro bus service daily. He said that metro bus service has changed the traditional transport culture and the common man is benefiting from this glorious welfare project. He said that due to excellent and high quality metro bus service even the persons having their personal conveyance prefer to travel by metro buses.