Projects that weren’t

More often than not, citizens have to bear the brunt of the government’s inability to complete a development project at a fast pace. The Multan road expansion project, called the Hudiara Drain Project, falls into the categories of these undertakings. The project began amid much fanfare. However, its pace has not only slowed down, but the entire project has come to a standstill. At various places, rainwater drains have been constructed and a lane has been added outside some factories. But the road remains has not be bound together by asphalt. Such a situation, worsened by temporary partitions, has hindered the flow of traffic and produced congestion on the road. The expansion project, which spans over a distance of 10.7 kilometres, serves as the main entry and exit point of the provincial capital.

When some citizens approached the NHA office to ask why work on the project had been stalled, they did not receive a satisfactory response from the authority. People do understand that the Punjab government is determined to start development projects and complete them in a timely manner. But why has there been a delay in completing an important project that serves the public interest? Soon the monsoon season will start and make the situation worse for road users. The relevant authorities should refrain from starting a project if they have no intention to complete it.

Iftekhar A Khan

Lahore