FAISALABAD, Jan 5: A team of Japanese engineers and consultants, amid tight security, inspected the sites for laying pipelines to supply sweet water to citizens under a mega project involving Rs2.1 billion of foreign aid.

Armed personnel of the Elite Force have been deputed with the foreign consultants to avoid any untoward incident. The team members, headed by Mr Novano, visited the University Road, Kutchery Road, State Bank Road and GTS Intersection for finalizing the plan.

The project would be completed in phases. In the first phase, the potable water would be provided to city's eastern part. A Wasa spokesman said that the visiting team would complete its survey till February this year and present a detailed report to the authorities concerned for laying of underground pipeline from University Gate to Warispura.

He said the foreign consultants would also recommend the suitable route for the pipeline so that the project could be completed within the shortest possible period. In the second phase, he said, some 20 tubewells would be installed along the canal near Sargodha Road.

Around 20 million gallons of water would be pumped every day from these tubewells which would be supplied to the citizens. The water supply project had been chalked out about seven years ago but it could not be initiated due to variety of reasons.

Now with the frantic efforts of District Nazim Zahid Nazir and provincial authorities concerned, the project has been started formally. A known NGO, Japan International Cooperation Agency, has agreed to provide huge funds for this plan.

SHOT DEAD: Highwaymen shot dead a truck driver during a robbery bid in Chak Jhumra on Tuesday night. Armed robbers stopped the truck near Arori Bridge and tried to snatch cash and other valuables from driver Ashfaq and conductor Sarfraz Ahmed. On resistance, the bandits opened fire on the driver, killing him instantly.