Punjab CM unveils Sewerage Fleet Phase-1 to extend Wasa services to 41 districts

• WASA Sewerage Fleet Phase-I inaugurated in 15 districts with 552 modern vehicles and machines

•  For the first time, sewerage services reach district level to tackle floods and heavy rains

• Phase-II to deploy 937 additional sewerage machines across 22 more districts

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday inaugurated the WASA Punjab Sewerage Fleet Phase-I in Lahore, marking a major milestone in her vision for a clean and well-managed Punjab. For the first time in the province’s history, WASA services have been extended to all 41 districts, enhancing drainage and sanitation systems at the grassroots level.

During the ceremony, CM Maryam Nawaz inspected sewer jetting machines, sewer suction units, and other operational vehicles, and handed over keys of the sewerage fleet to Provincial Minister for Housing Bilal Yasin. She lauded the drivers and operational staff for their dedication and urged them to continue serving the public with commitment, while also commending Minister Yasin, Secretary Housing Noorul Amin Mengal, and their team for making WASA Punjab fully functional.

According to the briefing, Phase-I includes 552 vehicles and machines across 15 districts, including Jhelum, Gujrat, Okara, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Jhang, Sahiwal, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Multan, and Dera Ghazi Khan. The fleet features modern machinery such as sewer suction units, jetting machines, desilting machines, water bowsers, dewatering pumps, dumpers, truck cranes, and loader rickshaws.

In the next phase, 937 additional sewerage vehicles and machines will be provided to 22 more districts. Maryam Nawaz stated that, for the first time, sewerage services are being initiated at the district level, ensuring timely response during heavy rains and floods. She emphasized that the provision of modern machinery will not only improve environmental conditions but also provide significant relief to the public.

Reaffirming her commitment, she added that all necessary drainage arrangements will be completed before the monsoon season, and noted that the government’s promise to establish WASA across Punjab has been fulfilled, keeping public convenience and efficient service delivery as top priorities.

CM Reviews Health Service Delivery Projects

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a special meeting on health service delivery projects, highlighting that these initiatives have brought new hope to thousands of patients across the province. She directed that all programs be made more effective and efficient to further improve public service delivery.

Under the CM Punjab Children’s Heart Surgery Program, 16,625 patients have been registered, and 11,466 children have successfully undergone heart surgeries, returning home healthy. Out of these, 7,664 surgeries were performed in public hospitals, while 3,802 children received treatment in private hospitals at government expense.

The CM Special Initiative for Transplant Program has registered 2,001 patients, completing 1,574 successful transplant procedures, including 255 free liver transplants (costing approximately Rs6.5 million each), 799 kidney transplants, 460 cochlear implants, 32 corneal transplants, and 28 bone marrow transplants, all provided completely free of cost.

Under the CM Special Initiative for Dialysis Program, 38,125 patients have been registered, with over 1.5 million dialysis procedures conducted to date. A report on the free medicine project was also presented during the session.

Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the government remains committed to expanding access to quality healthcare, ensuring that life-saving treatments are available to all segments of society without financial burden.