Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday said the Ravi River Urban Development Project (RRFUD) would be a reflection of Naya Pakistan, addressing burgeoning issues of the Lahore city like contamination of the Ravi River and fast depletion of underground water, besides stimulating economic activities.
Addressing a groundbreaking ceremony of Ravi River Urban Development Project (RRFUD), he said the water issues of Lahore had been worsening rapidly.
The sewerage water was being drained out in the Ravi River, polluting its water and giving rise to different diseases.
He expressed the confidence that the new project would have a clean waterfront and a lake, which would also recharge its fast depleting water table.
Water treatment plants would be set up under the RRFUD project to treat the dirty water thus adding to the rejuvenation of Ravi River, he added.
The prime minister said the project, which would be completed under the private-public partnership, conceived a modern and green city with different clusters of IT (information technology) and education sectors. Once completed, other cities would emulate its design, he added.
وزیراعظم عمران خان کا راوی ریور فرنٹ اربن ڈیویلپمنٹ پراجیکٹ کے سنگ بنیاد کی تقریب سے خطاب۔ https://t.co/s5OpHVSwrd
— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) September 15, 2020
He also referred to Singapore where the blackish water of the river was purified with the use of the latest technology.
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, federal ministers, provincial ministers, foreign dignitaries, members of the provincial assembly, and high officials were present during the ceremony. Earlier, the prime minister performed the groundbreaking of the project.
The prime minister further cautioned that certain problems could crop up in the way of realization of the new city to be equipped with modern facilities as often the big dreams took time to materialize and face hurdles.
He said the establishment of a new city was a much-needed requirement of not only the Lahore city but also of the whole country.
The prime minister said, “Its (Lahore city) growth is unsustainable and it consists of about 40 percent Katchi Abadis (slums) as no one ever thought about them.”
The people, who had big dreams and ideals, always faced hurdles but they never felt bogged down with the problems, he added.