The Punjab government has set a deadline for the completion of 82 additional roads under the Local Road Program, directing relevant departments to finish the projects by September 7, 2026.
Punjab Minister for Communication and Works (C&W) Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth issued the directives during a meeting held to review progress on the province’s road development and rehabilitation projects.
The meeting was attended by Communications and Works Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar, Special Secretary, Additional Secretaries and other senior officials. Superintending Engineers (SEs) and Executive Engineers (XENs) also participated through an online link.
82 Roads Divided Across Three Regions
Officials reviewed progress on the Local Road Program across Punjab’s North, Central and South regions.
According to the directions issued during the meeting, the 82 roads have been divided among the three regions according to the ongoing project workload.
The South region has been assigned 26 roads for completion, while 33 roads are to be completed in the North region.
The Central region has been given a target of 23 roads, bringing the total number of roads covered by the September 7 deadline to 82.
The minister directed the concerned Chief Engineers and field formations to ensure that the assigned projects are completed within the specified timeframe.
Signboards and Lane Marking Reviewed
The meeting also examined work being carried out on roads that have already been completed under the Local Road Program.
Officials briefed the meeting about the installation of signboards, lane markings and beautification measures on completed roads.
These activities are intended to improve road visibility, organization and overall appearance after construction and rehabilitation work has been completed.
The minister directed officials to maintain close oversight of these finishing activities alongside the completion of remaining road projects.
Vacant Positions to Be Filled
During the meeting, Bharth also ordered the immediate filling of vacant positions in field formations.
The availability of staff in field offices is important for monitoring construction activities, coordinating with contractors and inspecting road conditions.
The directive is aimed at strengthening the department’s field-level capacity while the government accelerates work under the Local Road Program.
Inspection of Roads Built Since 2024
The minister also ordered officials to inspect the shoulders of roads constructed since 2024.
Road shoulders can deteriorate due to weather, traffic and drainage problems, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
Bharth directed officials to identify damaged sections and complete necessary repairs within 10 days.
The instruction places additional emphasis on maintaining roads that have already been constructed rather than focusing only on new projects.
Daily Field Visits Ordered
To strengthen monitoring, the minister directed relevant officials to conduct daily field visits.
These visits are intended to help authorities assess road conditions, monitor project progress and identify problems that require immediate attention.
Regular inspections could also allow the department to address construction or maintenance issues before they become more serious.
The minister emphasized the need for field formations to remain active in monitoring ongoing work and ensuring that deadlines are met.
Post-Monsoon Repairs to Continue
The Punjab government has also directed officials to continue road repair activities following the monsoon season.
Heavy rainfall can cause damage to roads, shoulders and drainage systems, making post-monsoon inspection and rehabilitation important for maintaining road infrastructure.
Bharth instructed officials to continue repair work after the monsoon to ensure that improvements made to Punjab’s road network remain durable.
Focus on Road Network Improvements
The latest directives reflect the provincial government’s focus on completing road projects while also improving the condition of existing infrastructure.
With 82 roads targeted for completion by September 7, the Communication and Works Department faces a tight deadline to finish the assigned projects across Punjab’s three regions.
At the same time, inspections of roads built since 2024, repairs to damaged shoulders and continued post-monsoon maintenance are expected to remain part of the department’s broader road management efforts.
Officials will now be responsible for monitoring progress closely through field visits and ensuring that the targets set by the provincial government are achieved within the specified timelines.
