Punjab considers Japanese model for construction of underground water tanks
2026-02-18 - 08:23
LAHORE – Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique on Wednesday considered the Japanese model for the construction of underground water tanks. The minister stressed that the model of the Shibukawa Reservoir Project in Kawasaki city should be put forward. He said that the water collected in the underground tank can be used for plants. The minister made these remarks while reviewing the progress of the Punjab Development Program (PDP) at the Civil Secretariat. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Special Secretary Asia Gul, Project Director Brigadier (retd) Asad Mahmood and NESPAK experts also attended while Assistant Project Directors and Municipal Officers Infrastructure (MOIs) of the concerned cities participated through video link. He siad that “Maryam Nawaz’s Sohna Punjab” is a program for the provision of municipal services in which comprehensive planning has been done for the sewerage system and storm water drainage for the cities that have been facing problems for years. Zeeshan Rafique said that schemes have been launched in 46 cities under the PDP. “Work orders for five more cities will be issued soon” he pledged. “In addition, he went on, “the underground natural water reservoirs will also be recharged with rainwater. Focus has been placed on preventing urban flooding in every city included in the PDP”. “Assistant Project Directors and MOIs should strictly monitor the contractors”, directed the minister. He said that underground tanks are also being built on the sides of the roads, which will enable immediate drainage of rainwater. “Under the PDP, projects for repairing streets and roads and rehabilitating parks will also be completed”, he added. The provincial minister, while praising the relevant team for the good work done in Salanwali city of Sargodha district, warned that there will be no compromise on the timeline, quality and transparency of the PDP. MOIs should visit each scheme regularly and upload photographic evidence on the dashboard.