RAWALPINDI, Jan 21: The 400km long new water supply pipeline has started leaking at various places just after the completion of the project, residents alleged.

The ADB-funded pipeline laid at a cost of Rs4,336 million under the urban water supply and sanitation project (UWSSP) passes through various localities, including Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Shamsabad, Dhoke Kala Khan, Satellite Town, Yousaf Colony, central parts of Rawalpindi, Asghar Mall etc.

Meanwhile, the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) is receiving complaints regarding supply of contaminated water, as it is being feared that the sewage is mixing with water due to leakage in the pipeline.

The Project Management Unit (PMU) had formally handed over the maintenance charge of the new water pipeline to Wasa a few months back. However, the PMU was dissolved and UWSSP was wrapped up on Dec 31, 2003 after the ADB stopped providing more funds for the project.

The provincial minister for public health engineering, Mushtaq Ahmed Kiani, and the district Nazim, Tariq Mehboob Kiani, had also expressed their concern over the quality of pipeline during a meeting with the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and Wasa officials on Jan 16.

They had also directed an inquiry into the matter but no action had been taken so far. Meanwhile, the Wasa workers have started digging ditches alongside roads in the city to detect leakage in the pipeline. But, they did not refill these holes, which are hundreds in number and are posing constant threat to the lives of people.

In some areas including, Asghar Maal, many holes have been dug in the middle of the road, which are continuously disturbing the traffic flow. The director engineering of the Project Completion Unit (PCU), Aslam Sabzwari, said the leakage would be removed as soon as possible. However, he dispelled the impression that substandard material had been used in the project. He said the RDA director-general and Wasa managing director had held a meeting with the officials concerned on Tuesday to remove the leakage on permanent basis.

He said the PCU would complete the projects, including removal of leakage within three months. The Punjab government, that had to provide 9 per cent (Rs 845 million) of the total cost of the UWSSP, would also provide amount to remove leakage.