Maryam Nawaz promises modern city development inspired by Japan

LAHORE:

Punjab and Yokohama have agreed on ‘city-to-city’ cooperation in various fields, including environment protection and providing modern development systems to cities, announced Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during her visit to the Japanese commercial, economic and cultural hub on Monday.

The chief minister and her delegation were given a detailed briefing on urban development at Yokohama Town Hall. She discussed how to bring the construction quality of roads and buildings in Punjab at par with that of Japan. She also discussed various possibilities of cooperation between the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) and Yokohama.

The chief minister reviewed possibilities of cooperation in running a high-speed train between Lahore and Islamabad, besides upgrade of railway infrastructure in the province. She also reviewed latest Japanese chairlift and air cabin projects.

Maryam was informed that ‘Kun-Hun’, the three cities of Tokyo, Kawasaki and Yokohama, are located in an industrial zone of Japan. “Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan in terms of population. In May, an annual conference of the Asian Development Bank declared Yokohama the most developed city in Asia in terms of environmental improvement.”

Punjab CM is on a five-day official visit to Japan. She also visited Japan’s largest wastewater treatment plant. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb accompanied her.

“Japan’s modern technology and methods will be used for sewage and waste management in Punjab,” she said on the occasion. She inspected the waste treatment systems of Asahi, Yokohama city, Kanagawa, Washimaku and Yodogawa.

She was briefed on garbage and wastewater collection along with the waste disposal systems of Japanese cities. She was informed that Yokohama’s solid waste and wastewater treatment plant treats 1.5 million litres of wastewater daily.

“The Yokohama Waste Treatment Plant is also operating several plants that generate energy from waste. This energy is used for heating systems for the local population,” Japanese officials said. They said the plant was an ideal institution for disposal of waste by using modern technology.

The CM was informed, “Waste is separated into reusable components through a modern plant and automated system. Despite being an industrial city, Yokohama has the highest environmental standards.”

Maryam said the environmental and urban development model would be implemented in Punjab. She also visited various parts of the Newport Pier Bonded Warehouse and a centre for teaching skills to children under community welfare in then facility. She saw children making various items from paper and other material.

The children showed her examples of their creative talents and she congratulated them. The CM said on the occasion that a model of community welfare was also being promoted in Punjab. “We are also adopting methods of education and skill development on modern lines, besides providing facilities to children of Punjab,” she added.

During a visit to the Yokohama Port, the chief minister briefed the hosts about RUDA and said, “We want to develop Lahore, which is located on the banks of Ravi River, on the model of Yokohama.”

She invited officials of the Yokohama Urban Development Authority to visit Lahore and see the work of RUDA. “We want to work for the construction and development of industrial and densely populated cities of Punjab, including Lahore, on the model of Yokohama. We want to transform RUDA into a modern urban development institution on the model of Yokohama.”

The Yokohama team accepted the invitation to visit Lahore. CM Maryam said, “We want urban development while ensuring protection from environmental pollution and hazards along with industrial development.”

She noted, “Japan’s densely populated and industrial city of Yokohama is a rare example of modern urban development.” She was given a briefing about work, management and facilities at the port.

Meanwhile, Maryam directed all stakeholders to take emergency measures in view of possible cloudbursts and torrential rains across Punjab. She directed doctors and paramedical staff in hospitals and health centres to remain alert to cope with any untoward situation.

She directed the communications and works department officials to immediately repair and restore the roads affected by the rains. The CM further directed the administration and other relevant authorities to remain alert in view of the heavy rains in Chakwal and other areas.

She also directed the authorities to ensure protection of the lives and property in low-lying areas of Chakwal, along with prohibiting bathing in rivers and canals. She directed the police to patrol all areas.

She issued directives for timely evacuation of the residents of areas affected by flood and restoration of traffic by removing obstacles from small and big roads affected by the rains. She said, “Cloudbursts and torrential rains are natural calamities. All relevant institutions should remain alert at all times. No negligence will be tolerated in this regard.”