RAWALPINDI: Sanitation officers of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) have been directed to complete de-silting and cleanliness work in various nullahs in the Cantt limits by July 5.

RCB Cantonment Executive Officer Sabtain Raza visited the various nullahs a few days ago and inspected dredging work in Dhoke Banaras, Shalley Valley, Aslam Market, Qaba Market and Addra.

He expressed annoyance over the slow pace of work and reprimanded the in-charge sanitation.

Mr Raza directed sanitary inspectors Abid Javed and Shahid Mehmood to complete the task till July 5.

Additional Cantonment Executive Officer Arslan Haider and Chief Sanitary Inspector Waris Bhatti have also been directed to supervise the cleanliness work which must be completed before start of rains.

He instructed the authorities to finalize all the arrangements for the monsoon season including measures to avert any destruction and flooding in low-lying areas during rains.

Talking to this agency, RCB spokesman Qaiser Mehmood said that the dredging, de-silting and cleanliness work of various nullahs had been started at a cost of Rs 5.7 million and would be completed before start of monsoon season.

He said that the cleanliness work of three main nullahs- in Faisal Colony, Miran Bux Colony and Kalma Chowk- was completed by excavators.

The dredging work in Adra Nullah along with Akhri Stop Tench Bhatta Pulli, Jan Colony, Dhoke Abdul Latif Pulli, Aslam Market, Rahat Colony, Mughalabad Street nullah, Shalley Valley to Dhoke Banaras, Dhoke Banaras to Allama Iqbal Colony Street No. 2, the nullah of Habib Colony, Chak Madad Khan, Gawalmandi, Akbar Market, Officers Colony nullah, Friends Colony, IJP Road and Shah Piyara Allahabad is being completed. All culverts of the nullahs will also be cleared, he added.

Special teams had also been formed for quick response, relief and rescue operation in case of any emergency, he added.

The spokesman said encroachments were also being removed from the banks of nullahs. In case of any emergency, the citizens could call at the RCB’s helpline, he added.

Anti-encroachment drive

Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi (MCR) Town Officer Regulation Shahzad Gohar has said that anti- encroachment drive was going on successfully in the city and adjacent densely populated areas have been made clear.

Talking to this agency, he said the operation would continue against encroachments without discrimination.

He told shopkeepers to remove all encroachments themselves or their goods would be confiscated and auctioned off.

He said that strict action was being taken against those creating hurdles in the smooth flow of traffic.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2018