RAWALPINDI: The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) will open bids today (Saturday) to award a contract for cleaning Leh Nullah and 11 major nullahs in the garrison city ahead of the monsoon season.

Wasa Managing Director Azizullah Khan told Dawn that bids had been invited and would be opened on Saturday (today) to award contracts for the cleaning work.

He said that bids had been invited separately for Leh Nullah and the 11 major nullahs.

He said the Punjab government had approved Rs30 million for the cleaning of Leh Nullah and a separate Rs30 million for the 11 major nullahs in the garrison city.

However, Wasa had demanded

Rs80 million for the work, while the government initially approved Rs60 million.

He said the first phase would start on May 1 and be completed by June 30, as the government wanted the work finished without delay.

He added that Wasa had completed a survey of Leh Nullah from Kattarian Bridge to Moti Mahal and identified 19 vulnerable points.

He said there was a dire need to remove obstacles hindering the smooth flow of rainwater from the capital city and adjoining nullahs.

He added that the target would be achieved within the stipulated timeline.

Apart from dredging Leh Nullah, Wasa has also launched work to desilt 11 major drains in the garrison city before the monsoon.

The Wasa managing director said work had started at three points, including Kattarian, Pirwadhai and Gawalmandi, along Leh Nullah.

He added that in the second phase, work would continue from July to September.

Regarding the drains, he said work had started on I.J. Principal Road, Committee Chowk, Naz Cinema, Jadeed Graveyard, Dhoke Khabba and Shah Nazar Bridge.

He said there was a ban on dumping garbage and construction waste on the banks of Leh Nullah, adding, “We will take action and seal any truck or vehicle found dumping solid waste on the banks.”

The last major flood in Leh occurred on July 23, 2001, when Rawalpindi received 620mm of rain within a few hours, causing the worst flooding in the city’s history.

Thirty-five people lost their lives, while many slums were swept away, resulting in financial losses worth millions.

If heavy rains occur in the twin cities, the water level in Leh Nullah can rise by 18 feet, reaching a dangerous level.

The nullah is filled with hundreds of thousands of polythene bags, which adversely affect water flow.

Leh Nullah is about 30km long, stretching from the federal capital to Rawalpindi.

In addition, 11 major nullahs discharge into Leh Nullah from different areas, while it joins the Soan River near the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2026