FAISALABAD, May 26: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has expressed concern over the outbreak of gastroenteritis in Ghulam Muhammadabad and its adjoining areas and announced replacement of water-supply pipelines throughout the city at a cost of Rs940 million.

Speaking to journalists at the Allied Hospital after inquiring after the affected people on Friday, he announced Rs250 million from the account of the provincial government and assured of releasing the remaining amount from the federal government agencies.

He said the government took special measures to check recurrence of such incidents in future and authorities concerned had been asked to look into the matter.

He said Rs940 million would be spent on the replacement of the decades-old rusty pipelines to prevent outbreak of diseases.

He pointed out that funds would be made available on a priority to replace the rusty pipelines in the city and work on the project would be completed within next couple of years. Another project would be initiated at the provincial level to replace all redundant water supply pipelines. The government would issue special grant for this purpose, he added.

The chief minister announced a grant of Rs100,000 for the families of each deceased, in addition to Rs5,000 for each of 324 indoor patients suffering from gastroenteritis in various hospitals. He also distributed some cheques during this visit.

Responding to a question about action against the Wasa managing-director, he said the investigation was in progress and strict action would be taken against the officials found guilty.

Pervaiz Elahi directed the Wasa authorities to concentrate on the rehabilitation and improvement of the water supply system instead of chasing the defaulters.

Earlier, DCO Azam Sulman Khan spoke to the chief minister at the circuit house and claimed that the district administration had taken short- and long-term measures to control the situation in Ghulam Muhammadabad and its adjoining areas.

He said the JICA-funded project to pump 20 million gallons of water daily was also near completion. The FDA has returned funds of Rs15 million to the Wasa while the City District Government has also released Rs25 million for the immediate replacement of the defective water supply pipes.

Free medicines were also provided to the patients suffering from gastroenteritis.