MULTAN: The Asian Development Bank has suspended Rs1 billion funds being spent on various mega projects of Wasa as the authorities concerned could not complete these public welfare schemes within the stipulated time.

District Nazim Faisal Mukhtar said this at a press conference here on Wednesday, apprehended that the projects would remain incomplete due to the lapse of these funds.

‘This situation is a result of lax attitude of provincial government as well as the public representatives sitting in the Punjab Assembly,’ he alleged.

He said it was regrettable that the elected representatives could not even handle the ongoing projects.

He said the suspension of ADB funds had stalled Southern Basic Urban Services Project on which Rs885 million had so far been spent and 62 per cent work had been done.

Similarly, he said, work on Soraj Miani Disposal System, Habibiya Sial Landfill Site, Bosan Road Disposal Station, Samija Abad, Chungi No9, Karri Jammidan Disposals and many other projects was halted.

He said the funds suspension would also affect some drainage projects of Wasa which would cause inconvenience for the people in the coming Monson. Besides, he added, work on sewage treatment plant was also halted.

The release of sewage into canals was rendering agricultural lands infertile.

He said these projects should have been completed one year earlier, but due to lax attitude of public representatives this could not be done.

Mr Mukhtar said he had directed Multan Development Authority administration to engage new contractors after canceling the contracts of those responsible for the delay in development work.

He said MDA had deposited billions of rupees collected from the allottees of both phases of Fatima Jinnah Housing Colony and was earning profit on the amount, so the authority was reluctant to accelerate the pace of development work there.

Meanwhile, the nazim approved construction of three slip roads at Kalima Chowk to resolve issue of traffic jams occurring there repeatedly. The project will cost Rs4 million and roads will be constructed along Rescue 1122 office, Government Muslim Boys High School and Government Muslim Girls High School.

He also issued orders for immediate removal of all billboards from Kalima Chowk, demolition of old building located beside Rescue 1122 office and the footpath along the roundabout.