LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday granted approval to transform 7,500 villages into `model villages,` while directing the authorities concerned to present timelines for the completion of the project`s second phase and submit comparative before-and-after videos of each upgraded village.

Presiding over a meeting here, the chief minister set a target to clean stagnant wastewater ponds (chhappar) at the villages by June 30, while a helpline (1336) has been established for the immediate resolution of faults in water filtration plants there.

The chief minister also directed the early completion of bottling plants in Khushab and Chishtian and ordered that the cluster-based water supply scheme in Rajanpur be completed by May 15.

She further directed that malfunctioning water filtration plants be repaired and restored without delay, emphasising that the provision of clean drinking watermust be ensured on a priority basis in the underdeveloped areas.

`Negligence in the repair and restoration of water filtration plants meant for the provision of clean drinking water will not be tolerated. Access to clean drinking water is the right of every citizen of Punjab,` she said.

The meeting was informed that the mission to transform 485 villages into model villages was progressing rapidly, with an estimated cost exceeding Rs59 billion for the completion of Phase I of the project.

Under the project, each village will be equipped with water supply system, solar-powered tube wells and drainage facilities, while wastewater ponds will be cleaned.

The chief minister also set a deadline of August 31 for the completion of septic tanks (natural water filtration systems) in the villages. After desilting, the water from these tankswillbereused for irrigation purposes.

`People living in rural areas have an equal right to resources, and we will ensure they receive it,` she added.