Punjab government on Sunday approved Rs. 8745 crores total revamp plan, under the Punjab Urban Development Mission (PUDM) to upgrade all civic services in all the 142 cities of State, on an integrated turnkey basis, where a single agency would provide the facilities with a mandate to maintain them in top condition for next 10-15 years.
The decision arrived at a high level meeting of the Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal with the ministers for Local Government and Forests, Chunni Lal Bhagat and Surjit Kumar Jyani, an official release said.
Principal Secretary for the Local Government would work out a schedule to stagger development of 142 cities in five years. The works to be undertaken include providing and maintaining water supply and sewerage systems, laying new and upgrading existing internal roads, street lighting, maintaining green belts and parks as well as construct over bridges within the cities through comprehensive traffic engineering works.
Focusing on adherence to the timeline for execution of the mega project, Mr. Badal suggested appointing a special "mission director." Elaborating about tying up and distribution of funds for the next 5 years, the ministers were informed that Rs. 3739 crores would be required for 100 percent coverage under the water supply schemes and completion of the remaining 37 percent of the sewerage networks in the urban areas would entail Rs. 2759 crores. The government proposed to spend Rs. 2300 crores on sewerage treatment plants and Rs. 1476 crores on roads and parks.
While Rs.730 crores were earmarked for slum development and housing, Rs. 564.66 crores would be utilised for making all cities slum free and Rs. 215.57 crores would be utilised for providing housing to the urban poor.
The release said that meeting had a focused view on reforms in urban development sector, where statuary amendment in the laws including simplification of issuance of Change in Land Use (CLU) certificate was underscored. It was decided to bring 162 services under e-governance and provide time bound service to the citizens.
