October 15, 2002	Tuesday	Sha'aban 8, 1423

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RAWALPINDI, Oct 14: District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani on Monday reprimanded the officials of Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and Project Management Unit (PMU) for the slow pace of work on Nullah Leh project.

Presiding over a high-level meeting, he told the officials concerned of the two bodies that in-time completion of the project was their responsibility and they could be taken to task for any delay.

The project has to be completed by the first quarter of the next year with the Asian Development Bank loan lapsing in March 2003.

The ADB has time and again warned against any delay in the project. The bank officials had unequivocally conveyed to the government that no further extension of the loan would be possible, in case it lapsed. The loan had already lapsed once and was specially extended in view of the seriousness of the problem.

Mr Kiani expressed his dissatisfaction over the work, particularly at the Gawalmandi and Dhoke Chiraghdin bridges.

He told the officials that the required space had already been vacated by the occupants, therefore the contractors needed to be pushed to expedite the work. He said the people, who vacated the land, had, in fact, made a great sacrifice for the city, that needed to be honoured by timely completion of the project.

The district Nazim said the workforce and machinery at certain parts of the project were insufficient and the contractor should be directed to take appropriate steps to deal with the situation. He said no laxity would be tolerated during Ramazan and the contractor would have to ensure day and night work to meet the deadline of the project.

Regarding demolition of Gawalmandi Bridge for construction of a new one in its place, it was decided that a parallel pedestrian bridge would be erected.

The Nazim directed the director metropolitan planning to ensure completion of the fountain at Committee Chowk by the end of the month.