The Punjab government today gave nod to an integrated urban development plan to change the face of urban areas in a time bound manner.

Accelerated and Integrated Urban Development Plan was approved at a high-level meeting presided over by deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, an official spokesman said.

The programme aims to rejuvenate all components of urban development including road infrastructure, sewerage and water supply network, strengthen power transmission network, solid waste collection processing, beautification and landscaping of gardens.

Emphasising on coordinated campaign by all urban development agencies, Sukhbir suggested nominating a nodal officer for every city to coordinate the development process of all agencies.

He said the nodal officer would also coordinate with various national and international agencies for timely completion of projects.

He also announced that Punjab would soon purchase 150 low floor buses and 50 Volvo buses for intra-state traffic.

Concerned over the increasing problems of solid waste management in cities, it was decided to set up an integrated solid waste management plant at Amritsar at the cost of Rs.72.49 crore.

Local government and iIndustries minister Manoranjan Kalia and MP Navjot Singh Sidhu also attended the meeting.