Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz has granted approval to transform 7,500 villages into model villages in the second phase. She directed authorities to present timelines for the completion of model village projects. Maryam also directed them to submit comparative “before and after” videos of each village.
The meeting set the target to clean stagnant wastewater ponds (chhappar) in villages by June 30. The authorities have established a helpline (1336) established for the immediate resolution of faults in water filtration plants. The chief minister also directed the early completion of bottling plants in Khushab and Chishtian. She ordered that the cluster-based water supply scheme in Rajanpur be completed by May 15.
Maryam Nawaz further directed that the authorities ensure repair and restoration malfunctioning water filtration plants without delay. She emphasizing that authorities ensure provision of clean drinking water on a priority basis in the most polluted and underdeveloped areas.
“I will not tolerate negligence in the repair and restoration of water filtration plants for the provision of clean drinking water. Every citizen of Punjab has the right of access to clean drinking water,” the chief minister said.
Model Village Project:
According to a briefing, the mission to transform 485 villages into model villages under Model Village Project is progressing rapidly, with an estimated cost exceeding Rs59 billion for the completion of Phase I. The government will equip each village with water supply systems, solar-powered tube wells, drainage facilities, and the cleaning of wastewater ponds.
The chief minister has also set a deadline of August 31 for the completion of septic tanks (natural water filtration systems) in villages. After desilting, the residents could reuse water from these tanks for irrigation purposes.
The directives were issued during a special meeting chaired by the chief minister to review progress on the model villages and clean water projects in detail. The authorities informed the CM that they made operational helpline 1336 for the prompt resolution of issues related to water filtration plants.
Reiterating her commitment, the chief minister said that her government will achieve the goal of transforming villages into model settlements. “People living in rural areas have an equal right to resources, and we will ensure they receive it,” she added.
