CM Maryam Unveils Plan to Conserve Underground Water in Punjab

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved the launch of the province’s first large-scale project to construct 358 underground water storage tanks across Punjab, aimed at improving rainwater drainage and replenishing groundwater reserves.

The decision was taken during a special video-link meeting chaired by the chief minister to review the Punjab Development Programme, clean water initiatives, and the Model Village Project. Officials also presented a pictorial briefing on the progress of ongoing schemes.

Under the proposed plan, 34 large underground tanks will be constructed in major urban centres to facilitate the timely drainage of rainwater, while 324 roadside tanks will be installed to remove water that accumulates on streets. Recharge wells will also be developed alongside the tanks to help restore groundwater levels. The stored water will be treated at water treatment plants and later used for irrigation purposes. In addition, 328 wastewater treatment plants will be set up across the province.

During the meeting, officials informed the chief minister that around 6,100 kilometres of streets would be paved, 3,498 kilometres of sewerage pipelines laid, 14,679 streetlights installed, and approximately 33 million square feet of tuff tiles placed in streets and walkways. To strengthen drainage and municipal services, 526 modern machines and tractors will also be deployed.

Officials further briefed the meeting that a factory for producing sewerage pipelines with a lifespan of up to 100 years has been set up in Lahore and is expected to begin production soon.

Under the Punjab Development Programme, projects have already been launched in Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, Okara, Jhang, Multan and Sialkot, while schemes in Jhelum, Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Rawalpindi will commence soon.

Meanwhile, under the Punjab Rural Sanitation Improvement Programme, drainage systems will be developed in rural areas. A total of Rs59 billion will be spent on 485 villages under the Model Village Project, with development work already underway in 200 villages. Wastewater ponds will be cleaned, treatment plants installed and treated water supplied for irrigation.

The chief minister directed authorities to ensure the proper functioning of filtration plants to provide clean drinking water, prioritise the construction of paved streets in villages, and complete drainage projects before the onset of the monsoon season. She also instructed officials to give special attention to Gujrat and Sialkot.

Maryam Nawaz said that the scale of development currently being carried out in Punjab had not been witnessed in the last seven to eight decades, adding that within five years the province would transform into a modern and well-developed region.

Meanwhile, on the directives of the chief minister, a province-wide crackdown has been launched against hoarders and profiteers allegedly involved in stockpiling petroleum products.

The Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) has been mobilised across the province to take strict action against individuals creating artificial shortages to make illegal profits.

According to the directives, petrol pumps found involved in hoarding or profiteering will be sealed immediately and their licences cancelled.

The chief minister has instructed authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against hoarders and directed field officers to strictly monitor petrol pumps across the province. She also clarified that sufficient petroleum products were available and urged citizens not to pay attention to rumours.

She warned that individuals spreading speculation or false claims about petroleum shortages would face strict action under the law.