SAHIWAL: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $500 million loan to develop Sahiwal as a model city of Punjab.

The loan will be utilised to build new sewerage and drainage system, improve solid waste management, sanitation, water supply, traffic flow system and urban transport.

Newly-elected Mayor Asad Khan Baloch told reporters here on Thursday that the Punjab government would also provide $100 millionfor this purpose.

He said a new sewerage disposal system would be laid near village 95/6-R where modern waste water plant would be installed and the recycled water would be put into the Lower Bari Doab Canal.

The mayor said the 222 kanals of land would also be purchased near village 86/9-L to install a modern solid waste filth recycling plant.

At present, the Municipal Corporation had no proper place for dumping solid waste, he said.

Mr Baloch said a recycling plant would be installed and the solidwaste would be segregated accordingly. For this purpose, a solid waste treatment plant would be installed at 203 kanals of land near village 86/6-R.

Deputy mayor Sajid Naeem said the water management and supply company would also be developed to provide safe and healthy water to citizens.

It is learnt that during the last quarter of 2016 many consultants of the ADB visited Sahiwal and held a meeting with stakeholders, including, government officials, trader bodles and TMA sanitation staff.