lahore   -  Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar Sunday visited Fort Monroe, a famous tourist spot of DG Khan.

The chief minister was accompanied by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Minister of State Zartaj Gul, Punjab Land Record Authority Chairman Sardar Ahmad Ali Drishak, Advisor Hanif Pitafi, Tourism Advisor Asif Mahmood, dignitaries and other authorities concerned.

Usman Buzdar laid the foundation stone of eight different projects worth Rs900 million for the development and progress of the area. He also inaugurated Solar Lights Network and Parks & Horticulture in Fort Monroe, which were built at a cost of Rs100 million. Moreover, he inaugurated the 5km long Fort Monroe to Langar Khandsar link road, which has been completed with Rs290 million.

Usman Buzdar also inaugurated a project launched for upgradation of Fort Monroe Resort and provision of basic facilities in it. The project has been completed at a cost of Rs50 million. The CM inaugurated the restoration project of historic buildings and annexes in Fort Monroe. This project has been completed with Rs50 million.

Later, the chief minister laid the foundation stone of Fort Monroe Water Supply Scheme, a project that will be completed at a cost of Rs90 million. This scheme will solve the problem of drinking water in Fort Monroe on a permanent basis. The chief minister also laid the foundation stone of a new project worth Rs100 million to promote tourism in the area of Koh-e-Suleman besides the Fort Monroe Rescue-1122 station project which will cost Rs50.5 million. Usman Buzdar also laid the foundation stone of the upgradation project of Fort Monroe High School. This project will be completed at a cost of Rs30 million.

The chief minister was also briefed on various development projects including Fort Monroe Cadet College and Welfare Complex. DG Koh-e-Suleman Development Authority briefed the chief minister about the progress of different ongoing development projects in the area. Usman Buzdar, Sadiq Sanjarani and Zartaj Gul planted chanar, ashoka and palm trees in the area under the Clean and Green Punjab campaign.

The chief minister while addressing the notables, tribal elders and people in Fort Monroe said that Koh-e-Suleman Development Authority had been fully activated. He further disclosed that funds worth Rs5.70 billion had been reserved for the development and the welfare of the people of the area. “Basic problems of the area including roads network and water supply will be solved,” he said.

He added that the Punjab government had given 100 acres of land for Fort Monroe Cadet College. “A total of Rs2.80 billion will be spent on this Cadet College,” he stated. 

“The government has released funds amounting to Rs1 billion for Fort Monroe Cadet College and this project will soon be inaugurated,” he said, adding that another cadet college would also be set up in the area of Koh-e-Suleman for which a feasibility study was being conducted. “The children of Koh-e-Suleman will be given free admission in this cadet college and the boarding and other expenses will be borne by the Punjab government,” he averred.

The CM said that the problem of water supply in Fort Monroe would be solved permanently and instructions had been issued to the Housing Department in that regard. He assured that the Punjab government would release requisite funds for the purpose. “Work is being carried out to set up a Solid Waste Management Company in Fort Monroe to address the issue of sanitation. 108km of roads are being constructed in Koe-e-Suleman and Fort Monroe. Funds are being released for the construction of walls of the graveyard. Fort Monroe will be declared an urban area through a master-plan. Rs80 million will be spent on the installation of ROs plants,” he added.

Usman Buzdar announced to provide electricity in all the deprived areas of Sakhi Sarwar to Taman Buzdar and Taman Leghari. “A veterinary hospital will be set up in Taman Leghari. The facility of Mobile veterinary hospital will also be provided,” the CM said. He also announced plans to set up a hospital in the Rakhni area of Barkhan district, Balochistan and said the Punjab government would provide funds for that state-of-the-art hospital.