GUJRAT: The recent rains and leakage in the sewerage line at the Ratti disposal station on the city outskirts have caused a breach in the embankment.

The embankment is meant to save the city in case Hailsey storm water channel overflows. What is alarming is despite damage to the road constructed at the embankment, vehicles have been moving there as the authorities have not closed the portion of the damaged road for traffic.

The city municipality’s sewerage line has been connected with the disposal station for the drainage of the sewerage water into the channel. On Thursday, the pipeline in the close radius of the disposal station was damaged owing to leakage. Pipes are said to be dislocated causing a breach in the embankment as well as damaging a portion of road in front of the disposal station.

Locals of the area said any further negligence or delay in the repair work could cause a flood-like situation in the city especially in case of more rain in the area. They said they informed the officials of the irrigation department who claimed that the municipal authorities were responsible for fixing the sewerage line.

The engineering staff of the Gujrat Municipal Corporation paid a visit to the site and inspected the area damaged by the leakage.

Acting mayor of Gujrat MC Asif Raza Mehmda told Dawn that he had inspected the site and was aware of the issue which would be solved soon. He said the engineering branch would start digging the damaged portion of the pipeline to repair it by today (Saturday).

He said the road should have been closed for the traffic at least at the damaged portion since there’s an alternate route that could ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Last year too there was a breach at this very point of the pipeline.

Education institutions: The Punjab government has approved to establish two new special education institutions in Gujrat city where educational activities will be started within few months.

This was stated by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa at a meeting here on Friday, The DC said one special education institution had been given the name of Government Special Educational Complex, Gujrat, and it would be of a high school level. Students with all the four disabilities -- deaf and dumb, visually impaired and physical -- would be given admission there; while the second special education institution would be only for blind girls.

He said initially these institutes would start working in rented buildings while the officers concerned had been directed to locate at least a four-kanal piece of land for the construction of buildings.

He said the Punjab government had appointed few teachers and office staff to establish both the new institutions, while the remaining teachers would be recruited through the Punjab Public Service Commission.

Five special education centres were already working in the district -- three in Gujrat city, one in Lala Musa city of Tehsil Kharian and one in Sara-i-Alamgir.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2017