The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has allocated $200 million to provide drinking water to various union councils of Sahiwal city, under the aegis of the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Programme (PICIIP).Through the initiative, a master plan would be developed over the next 25 years to ensure the provision of safe and clean water. The project is focused on 12 union councils of Sahiwal where 400,000 people will benefit during 2019. The number is expected to reach one million in the coming years.The PICIIP aims to improve the quality of life the residents living in select cities of Punjab. It will transform the intermediate cities into urban centers which are more efficient, accountable and serve as an engine of economic growth and sustainable development. In order to achieve this goal, the government is addressing urban development challenges on the city level, including integrated planning, improved institutional framework for urban services, strengthened business processes of utilities and upgraded urban infrastructure and services.The provincial government believes that cities need to be provided with upgraded sustainable infrastructure and connectivity for faster economic growth. Authorities maintain that this will enable higher productivity, opportunities for inclusive growth and a sustained quality of life.In the Urban Economic Growth Strategy, the provincial government has advanced the initiative with a focus on cities becoming hubs for development and sustained growth. It argues that cities will be more efficient and competitive if the role of the government as policymaker and regulator is reinforced.The role of the private sector in developing infrastructure and providing services has advanced the need for a business-friendly environment and conditions. The need of the hour is efficient service delivery institutions, a professionally managed set up and incentives for performance. Combined, these can serve as major contributors to an efficient and smart city.Most of the spadework for the project has already been completed and the initiative is ready for execution. To resolve basic civic issues in major cities of the province, Punjab government will introduce $600 million worth of interventions in cooperation with donor agencies.In the first phase, the PICIIP has been introduced in Sialkot and Sahiwal and will be rolled out in Sargodha, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalpur and Muzaffargarh in the second phase.The PICIIP will support different civic up-gradation programmes across the selected cities in two phases. In the first phase, the programme will support municipal corporations in Sahiwal and Sialkot cities, with an allocation of $250 million. Of the total, ADB will finance $200 million and the government of the Punjab will provide $50 million.The PICIIP works to refine the efficiency of the Municipal Corporation by improving the services of water supply, sanitation, sewerage treatment, solid waste management and transport infrastructure. This will help enhance economic activities and improve conditions for business. It is also believed that the initiative will enable a healthier community and assure a better quality of life for the residents of Sahiwal and Sialkot.Published in The Express Tribune, May 26, 2019.