Maryam sets June deadline for Punjab drainage projects ahead of monsoon

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to complete all drainage-related projects across the province before June and ordered that work continue round the clock.

During a meeting, the chief minister instructed the relevant departments to ensure that sewerage and rainwater drainage schemes are finished before the start of the monsoon season. The projects are currently under way in Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, Okara, Jhang, Multan, Sialkot, Jhelum, Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Rawalpindi.

Projects in 15 cities

Officials told the meeting that work planned for 15 cities includes the laying of 2,265 kilometres of sewerage pipelines and 189 kilometres of rainwater drainage lines. They said that in the first phase, 86 disposal stations and nine underground storage tanks would be built.

The briefing further stated that 752 kilometres of roads would also be developed after the completion of the sewerage and drainage schemes.

WASA complexes approved

At the meeting chaired by Maryam Nawaz, the design of Water and Sewerage Agency (WASA) complexes for the 15 cities was approved. According to the briefing, these complexes will also have hostel facilities for officers.

The chief minister was also informed that the ongoing schemes were being tracked in real time through a WASA dashboard and a mobile application.

Pre-monsoon directions

Separate instructions were issued for WASA to begin a large-scale desilting campaign of drains before the monsoon season.

The directions come as the provincial government moves to complete sewerage and storm-water infrastructure in multiple cities ahead of expected seasonal rains.

The meeting focused on the pace of implementation, monitoring arrangements and the infrastructure to be developed under the ongoing programme in Punjab’s urban centres.