Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has described the ongoing road infrastructure initiative as the most extensive in the province’s history, involving the construction, expansion, and rehabilitation of 18,700 kilometers of roads across 1,471 routes.
During a high-level meeting focused on the Communication and Works (C&W) Department, the chief minister reviewed a detailed performance report covering both road and building projects. It was reported that 12,000 kilometers of road work, spanning 1,214 routes, have already been completed, with the entire project on track for completion by December.
Highlighting financial efficiency, officials noted that 97% of the allocated funds have been effectively utilized. Infrastructure worth Rs600 billion has been delivered at a remarkably reduced cost of Rs70 billion, thanks to improved construction management and oversight.
A key financial milestone includes a 20% average reduction in contract costs, achieved for the first time in provincial infrastructure development. The government also decided to shift from the conventional contractor system to a digital toll collection mechanism. Moreover, 29 routes have been identified for Public-Private Partnership (PPP), with agreements already in place for nine of them.
Progress in Building and Urban Infrastructure
So far, 1,193 building projects have been finalized, including:
- Completion of the first phase of health center upgrades,
- Construction of Samanabad General Hospital and Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, and
- Development of agri-malls in four cities.
Additionally, key industrial initiatives such as the Garment City in Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Park and the PCCI-III development projects in Multan, Bahawalpur, and Sargodha are either completed or nearing finalization.
To maintain high standards in construction, the government has deployed advanced monitoring equipment such as Road Surface Profilers, Ground Penetration Radars, and Fast Falling Weight Deflectometers to assess road quality.
Notable Projects and Upcoming Plans
Major projects under review include:
- Quaid-e-Azam to Wagah Tourism Corridor
- Adiala Overhead Bridge
- GPO Mall Underpass
- Kartarpur Corridor
- Multan–Vehari Dual Carriageway
- Faisalabad–Chiniot Road
The chief minister also greenlighted new expressways, including the Layyah–Bhakkar–M3 and M4 link.
Looking ahead, the government has announced 313 new infrastructure projects worth Rs255 billion for the upcoming fiscal year.
District-Wise Development Snapshot
The road development is widespread across Punjab:
- North Punjab: Jhelum (190 km), Attock (340 km), Sargodha (860 km), Mianwali (220 km), Bhakkar (570 km), Gujrat (360 km)
- Central Punjab: Mandi Bahauddin (230 km), Hafizabad (120 km), Gujranwala (390 km), Sialkot (230 km), Lahore (40 km)
- South Punjab: Bahawalpur (620 km), Bahawalnagar (450 km), Rahim Yar Khan (670 km), Rajanpur (250 km), DG Khan (605 km), Muzaffargarh (610 km)
- Other Cities: Faisalabad (620 km), Jhang (370 km), Chiniot (180 km), Okara (330 km), Lodhran (140 km), Khanewal (400 km), Vehari (270 km), Sahiwal (280 km), Pakpattan (210 km), Sheikhupura (160 km), Nankana Sahib (190 km), Narowal (200 km)
Speaking at the meeting, CM Maryam Nawaz remarked:
“Roads that remained neglected for three decades are now finally under construction. This transformation is not just about laying asphalt—it’s about delivering quality using the most advanced technology available.”
She expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and praised Provincial Minister Sohaib Bharth and Secretary Sohail Ashraf for their leadership and dedication. She also directed that all current projects be completed within the ongoing fiscal year.
