Punjab Chief Minister CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to accelerate work under the Model Village Project and resolve drainage and sewerage problems in rural areas across the province.
The chief minister issued the directives while chairing a special meeting to review progress on the project and development activities being carried out in villages across Punjab.
Officials briefed the meeting that development work is currently underway in more than 3,500 villages, where authorities are working on sewerage and drainage systems while also constructing brick-paved streets.
Focus on Drainage and Sewerage
Maryam Nawaz directed relevant authorities to address drainage and sewerage problems on a priority basis.
The initiative is aimed at improving basic infrastructure in rural communities, particularly in villages facing inadequate drainage and sanitation facilities.
The chief minister also ordered officials to ensure that village streets are properly paved and that improvement work includes appropriate beautification.
The directions place a strong focus on improving the overall living environment in rural areas through better infrastructure and community-level development.
Community Organizations to Be Introduced
The meeting also approved the introduction of community-based organizations under the Model Village Project.
The move is intended to involve local communities more closely in rural development initiatives and improve coordination between residents and government departments.
Several local and administrative stakeholders will also be involved in the implementation of development activities.
These include assistant commissioners, community health mobilizers, Union Council secretaries, headmasters and other relevant stakeholders.
Their involvement is expected to strengthen coordination and help ensure that development initiatives address the needs of individual villages.
MPAs Given Monitoring Responsibility
The meeting also assigned members of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab responsibility for monitoring development projects in their respective areas.
The arrangement is intended to provide greater oversight of ongoing projects and help authorities track progress at the local level.
MPAs will be responsible for monitoring development work in their areas and highlighting issues that may affect the timely completion of projects.
Greater local-level monitoring could also help ensure that infrastructure improvements are implemented according to the project’s objectives.
Brick-Paved Streets and Beautification
Alongside drainage and sewerage improvements, the Model Village Project includes the construction of brick-paved streets.
Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to ensure that village streets receive proper paving and beautification.
Improved streets can help address basic mobility issues in rural communities while also contributing to cleaner and more organized residential areas.
The focus on beautification indicates that the project is not limited to essential infrastructure but also seeks to improve the overall appearance and environment of participating villages.
Broader Rural Development Initiative
The Model Village Project is being implemented across thousands of villages, with authorities working on multiple aspects of rural infrastructure.
The latest meeting focused on speeding up implementation and ensuring that key issues, particularly drainage and sewerage problems, are resolved without unnecessary delays.
The involvement of administrative officials, education representatives, health workers and community-level stakeholders is also expected to create a broader coordination mechanism for rural development.
With work underway in more than 3,500 villages, the project represents a major infrastructure initiative targeting communities across Punjab.
The chief minister’s latest directives emphasize faster implementation, improved monitoring and greater attention to basic services and the condition of village streets.
