CM approves budget for Lahore Ring Road Authority

[Salman]

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday said billions of rupees had been spent on the Lahore Ring Road project to rid the people of traffic problems and to provide them relief.
He said development work on the southern loop of Lahore Ring Road would commence soon and a separate police force was being formed to maintain traffic flow on Lahore Ring Road which would begin its work with effect from December 25.
He made this announcement while presiding over a meeting of Lahore Ring Road Authority. The meeting accorded approval to the budget for Lahore Ring Authority for the year 2012-13. Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz said that development work on the southern loop of Lahore Ring Road would commence after dividing it into various portions.
He said this project will be an exemplary development project in terms of quality and transparency. The CM ordered that toll collection system at northern loop should be computerized whereas an effective business plan should be implemented in order to generate further resources for the project.
Formulating a committee, under the chairmanship of chairman Planning and Development in this regard, the chief minister directed that the committee should present a master plan for setting up of economic development zone along the Lahore Ring Road. The committee will consist of secretaries of different departments, representatives of Lahore Chamber and Commerce and members of Punjab Investment Board. He said that a theme park near Jallo Park at Lahore Ring Road would also be constructed which will be completely outsourced. He directed that best companies should be consulted regarding setting up of the theme park. Shahbaz said that horticulture has been promoted at the northern loop of Lahore Ring Road which has been beautified with plants and flowers. He said that the horticulture work that has not been completed so far on the remaining three loops of the project should be immediately carried out.
He further directed that weigh bridges also be constructed for maintenance of Lahore Ring Road.