By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: The Developing Resilient Environment and Advancing Municipal Services (DREAMS) project—jointly funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Punjab—is set to officially begin following the resolution of a key legal challenge.
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The Local Government & Community Development Department has formally dismissed a petition that questioned the legitimacy of a Joint Venture involved in a major contract, allowing project execution to commence.
Launched in November 2024, the DREAMS project is designed to modernize urban infrastructure and enhance municipal services across Punjab. Structured under the ADB’s Project Administration Manual (PAM), the initiative follows international standards to ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability. A major component includes the development of an integrated water supply system using Chahan Dam to serve Rawalpindi.
The project had encountered delays due to the amicable dissolution of a Joint Venture between a foreign contractor and a local company—handled under FIDIC guidelines. Concerns were raised by a senior WASA Rawalpindi official, who was also part of the City Implementation Team (CIT). Despite initially questioning the process, the same official went on to sign contracts for Lot-2 and Lot-3 in January 2025. This led to administrative inconsistencies, and the official was removed from the project in February 2025.
Throughout the process, the Asian Development Bank maintained close oversight and issued a No Objection Letter (NOL), certifying that the procurement adhered to its strict procedural requirements.
In support of project integrity, the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT) conducted a comprehensive review. Their findings validated compliance with ADB procurement rules, affirmed the selection of the lowest qualified bidder, and recommended the Steering Committee of the Planning & Development Board formally endorse the project’s advancement.
“This decision reinforces our commitment to fair, rules-based development,” said a senior official from the Local Government Department. “The DREAMS project will now move forward with renewed momentum to deliver real improvements in urban services for the people of Punjab.”
With legal and procedural challenges behind it, the DREAMS project is now officially underway, promising long-term benefits in water infrastructure, service delivery, and quality of life for communities throughout Punjab.
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