TOBA TEK SINGH, Sept 1: Work on the water supply project of Toba city has been stopped for the last one year.

The work on the Rs815 million project began in 2010 by two construction companies to provide potable water to the city through a pipeline from Jhang Trimmu Headworks (on the River Chenab). Nine tubewells were installed at Trimmu while a pumping station and residences for its staff were also built there.

An intermediate pumping station was also constructed at Majhi Sultan, 16 kilometers from Jhang, from where water was to be pumped into Toba.

Three water storage tanks were built on Waryam Road, Akal Wala Road and near district courts complex while pipelines were also laid in the city.

When Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the city in February this year, he learnt from MNA Junaid Anwaar Chaudhry that the pace of work was very slow and Rs29.5 million released for the project had already been spent.

An inquiry by the Punjab home secretary Shahid Khan stated that the major portion of the funds was unlawfully used by Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) for giving mobilisation advance to the contractor but the contractor did not book the order to the country's only (ACP) Asbestos cement pipe (Dadex factory, Karachi) manufacturing factory due to which the cost of the mega project might increase.

He held two former PHED executive engineers Javed Shakil and Rafiq Chaudhry, SDO Solat Raza Shah, sub-engineer Abdul Khalid and accountant Javed Aslam responsible. The officials were suspended a few days ago.

A source told that Punjab PHED chief engineer had now written to Punjab secretary PHED that if the proposed Asbestos cement pipe was used, it would double the cost as at the time of approval of this project the rate of this 32 inch diameter pipe was Rs3,500 per foot but now its price was Rs12,000 per foot.

He proposed a low cost pipe to cut the expenditure. His proposal awaits chief minister’s approval.