SAHIWAL: The Asian Development Bank-funded ‘Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Programme’ (PICIIP), implemented through the Punjab government and the Local Government Department, is facing a host of challenges in its execution in Sahiwal.

PICIIP aims to enhance urban services, focusing on water supply, sanitation, sewerage, solid waste management and transport infrastructure. The project includes the installation of sewer lines — spanning 70km of 72-inch diametre pipes, 11km of 12-15-inch pipes, and conduits of various sizes — along with restoring roads and laying main sewers on the city’s north and south sides.

Water supply improvements involve laying 547km and 91km of pipelines, designed to modernise a 50-year-old system and serve a projected population of over 500,000 by 2040.

Despite its scope, the project faces complications due to the replacement of ageing sewerage and water lines buried under streets and main roads. Over the past two years, deep trenches have disrupted every corner of the city, sparking public complaints about poor contractor practices, particularly the failure to follow compaction protocols.

Improper compaction has led to collapsing roads and caved-in surfaces in areas such as Farid Town, Jahaz Ground, Mall Mandi and High Streets.

Reports indicate that broken joints in the sewer lines have caused water accumulation, further exacerbating the situation.

Recent incidents highlight the gravity of these issues. On Sunday night, a large hole, 6-7 feet in diametre and 9-10 feet deep, appeared near College Chowk due to faulty compaction. Although contractors filled the hole with gravel, Nespak experts labelled it a “Crown Failure” of the municipal corporation’s 50-year-old pipeline, leaving the root cause unresolved.

A contractor responsible for road carpeting has paused work on Farid Town Road for six days without explanation, adding to public frustration. Citizens have also raised concerns about dust and air pollution caused by ongoing construction.

Supervision of the project involves multiple entities, including consultants EMCP and UMDS, Nespak, and the PICIIP city manager. However, a lack of coordination between contractors and line departments persists. Even though Commissioner Shoaib Iqbal oversees daily operations, contractors reportedly continue to deliver substandard work.

Public complaints through ADB procedures and local consultant offices are often marked as ‘resolved, but citizens and civil society organisations demand a more transparent grievance redress mechanism. Without stronger accountability and coordination, the project risks further delays and diminishing public trust in urban development initiatives.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2024