LAHORE: The Punjab government is constructing 67 underground tanks in 52 cities to store rainwater as part of the Punjab Development Programme (PDP), and efforts are underway to complete the project before the upcoming monsoon season. According to the details, six roadside tanks are being built in Khushab, seven in Joharabad, and five in Bhalwal. Additionally, two underground tanks will be constructed in Bhera, eight in Silanwali, and three in Sahiwal. One tank is being built in Jalalpur Jatan, five in Lala Musa, and two in Kharian. Construction has also started on three storage tanks in Phalia and 19 in Kamoke. In Wazirabad, nine underground tanks are being built, while seven are under construction in Alipur Chatha. Excavation has been completed for one underground tank in Pattoki and 10 in Kot Radha Kishan. Phoolnagar and Kudian Khass will each receive four tanks, while Bhakkar will have five and Mianwali will have six tanks. Excavation work has also been completed for six tanks in Mianwali, five in Vehari, and seven in Mailsi. Furthermore, the government plans to construct nine underground water storage tanks in Burewala/Gago Mandi and eleven in Khanewal. Six tanks are also being built in Abdul Hakeem, three for Mian Channu, and six each in Kabirwala, Toba Tek Singh, and Kamalia. Additionally, ten tanks will be constructed for Gojra. Under the PDP, thirteen roadside storage tanks will be built in Jaranwala, seven in Tandlianwala, and five in Chak Jhumra. Excavation has been completed for six underground water tanks, each, in Sangla Hill and Pindi Bhattian. Moreover, seven rainwater storage tanks will be built in Daska, two in Pasrur, and twelve in Sambrial. Plans are in place for seven tanks in Narowal, three each in Renala Khurd and Deepalpur, and twelve in Shakargarh. Lastly, the government also intends to build five rainwater storage tanks in Muridke, three each in Attock and Hazro, fourteen each in Kot Abdul Malik and Ferozewala, four in Kot Addu, six in Layyah, one in Bahawalnagar, and seven in Lodhran. Additionally, seven rainwater storage tanks will be constructed in Chichawatni and three in Hasilpur. In this connection, Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique chaired a meeting here on Tuesday, which was attended by Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul and other senior officials. They discussed development schemes under the Punjab Development Programme (PDP) worth Rs310 billion for 51 towns. During the meeting, the Minister announced that work has been awarded for two additional cities, bringing the total to 48. He stated, “Work on the schemes for the remaining three cities will begin this month.” He instructed the Project Director and Assistant Project Directors to visit project sites to monitor the development work. He also mentioned that Rs13 billion has been saved in the PDP thus far through transparent tendering. He emphasised that safety should not be compromised at excavation sites. Additionally, he highlighted that Rs6.6 billion has been allocated for suction, jetting, de-silting machines, and de-watering sets. He urged the Municipal Officers of Infrastructure to actively ensure that the instructions issued for the PDP are implemented effectively. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026