Punjab Province

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab Ring Road Authority has announced a comprehensive set of infrastructure, traffic management and administrative reforms for the Lahore Ring Road, including the installation of solar powered lights, the introduction of an automated electronic challan system and the phased rehabilitation of neglected service lanes.
Punjab Ring Road Authority Chairperson Safiullah Gondal said a detailed plan had been prepared to reconstruct and upgrade service lanes along the Ring Road that had remained in poor condition for several years. The rehabilitation work will be carried out in phases to improve road safety, reduce inconvenience for motorists and provide better access to commercial and residential areas located near the corridor.
According to the authority, the project will focus on repairing damaged sections, improving road surfaces and enhancing the overall condition of service lanes used by local traffic. Officials believe the initiative will help reduce traffic hazards and improve the daily travel experience for thousands of commuters.
The authority has also launched a revenue recovery drive targeting businesses that are using Ring Road service lanes for commercial purposes without paying the required no objection certificate fees.
Gondal said the authority had set a target of collecting approximately Rs 400 million in outstanding and applicable NOC fees from such commercial establishments. The recovered amount will be spent on improvement, maintenance and development projects along the Lahore Ring Road.
As part of its energy efficiency programme, the authority has also developed a plan to gradually convert all conventional streetlights on the Ring Road to solar power. The transition will be completed in stages and is expected to significantly reduce electricity costs while promoting a more environmentally sustainable lighting system.
Officials said solar lighting would also improve the reliability of street illumination, particularly during power outages, and contribute to safer nighttime travel.
In another major reform, the authority has decided to upgrade policing, surveillance and traffic enforcement on the Lahore Ring Road in line with the operational model of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority.
Under the proposed automated system, traffic movement will be monitored continuously through modern surveillance cameras. The cameras will automatically detect violations such as speeding, lane indiscipline and other breaches of traffic regulations.
An electronic challan system will also be introduced to ensure faster, more transparent and technology based enforcement. Violators will be identified through the surveillance network and issued electronic fines without relying entirely on manual checking.
The Ring Road Police will coordinate with the Punjab Safe Cities Authority for technical support, system integration and the use of modern monitoring tools. The collaboration is expected to improve compliance with traffic laws, reduce dangerous driving and create a safer environment for motorists.
Gondal said the authority was committed to strengthening its revenue collection system through technology, transparency and administrative reforms. He added that improved financial management would enable the authority to invest more resources in maintenance, road safety and public convenience.
He said all available resources would be used to upgrade the Lahore Ring Road and provide motorists with travel facilities that meet international standards.
The planned reforms are expected to modernize the management of one of Lahore’s busiest transport corridors while improving safety, reducing energy costs and strengthening the authority’s financial sustainability.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has issued show cause notices to the owners and developers of 13 illegal and unapproved housing schemes and land subdivisions for allegedly carrying out unauthorized development, advertising, plot bookings, and sales without obtaining the required legal approvals.
The notices were issued by the Metropolitan Planning and Traffic Engineering (MP&TE) Directorate as part of the authority's ongoing campaign against illegal housing developments operating within the Rawalpindi region.
According to the RDA, the housing schemes were found to be in violation of Section 12(5) of the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976, and Rule 4 of the Punjab Development Authorities Private Housing Scheme Rules, 2021. The authority stated that the developers had initiated various activities without securing the mandatory approvals and no objection certificates (NOCs) required under the law.
The RDA has directed the owners and sponsors of the schemes to immediately stop all development work, marketing campaigns, plot bookings, and sale and purchase activities. They have also been instructed to submit written explanations within seven days of receiving the notices.
The authority warned that failure to respond within the stipulated period could result in further legal proceedings under the applicable laws. It also cautioned that daily fines ranging from PKR 5,000 to PKR 20,000 may be imposed under Section 37 of the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976, depending on the size and nature of the housing scheme.
In addition, the RDA advised members of the public to exercise caution before investing in any housing project. Prospective buyers have been urged to verify the legal approval status of housing schemes through the relevant authorities before making any financial commitments.
The authority further instructed the sponsors of unapproved housing projects to immediately discontinue promotional and marketing activities and complete all legal requirements, including obtaining the necessary approvals and NOCs, before launching or selling their schemes.
RDA Director General Salman Ghani directed the MP&TE Directorate to continue strict enforcement against illegal housing schemes and other unauthorized development activities, reaffirming the authority's commitment to protecting public interests and ensuring planned urban development across Rawalpindi.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has prepared a policy framework to use the province’s nearly 40,000 kilometre canal network for the generation of affordable and environmentally friendly electricity.
Under the proposed plan, small hydropower projects will be established along canals to provide reliable electricity to rural and semi urban communities while reducing their dependence on expensive conventional power.
The Punjab Energy Department has finalised the Guidelines for Small Hydropower Projects for Punjab Community Ecosystems 2026. The guidelines are expected to be presented to the provincial cabinet for approval.
According to the policy documents, the natural flow and pressure of canal water will be used to generate electricity. Small power plants could be installed at canal falls, water drops and regulators where suitable hydraulic energy is available.
Officials said the projects would not require the construction of new dams or large water reservoirs. Existing canal infrastructure would be used to produce renewable electricity close to the communities where it is needed.
The proposed framework also recommends a tariff determined by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, a one window approval system and improved coordination among provincial departments responsible for canals, energy and local administration.
Under the proposed arrangement, a company or organisation developing a small hydropower project would operate it for an initial period of three years. The project could then be transferred to the local community for operation and management.
The community based model is intended to involve local residents in the ownership, maintenance and distribution of electricity generated through the projects.
Punjab has one of the world’s largest connected irrigation networks, but much of the natural energy available at canal falls and regulators has remained unused.
The Energy Department believes that small canal based power projects could improve electricity supply in remote areas, reduce the impact of prolonged power cuts and support agricultural consumers and small businesses.
Implementation of the policy could also increase Punjab’s share of renewable energy, reduce electricity transmission losses and provide rural communities with a lower cost alternative to conventional grid power.