RAWALPINDI: The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has sought Rs31 million from the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to replace the damaged water supply lines on Murree Road.

The water supply line from Asghar Mall Road to Kohati Bazaar via Murree Road was damaged in the construction of the Metro Bus Project and Wasa is urging the need for this old line to be replaced before the beginning of summer.

A senior Wasa official told Dawn the agency informed the RDA one month ago that the supply line for the main reservoirs at Saidpur Road near Asghar Mall commonly called Safaid Tanki was damaged.

However, he said that the RDA suggested the agency start repair work before the re-carpeting of Murree Road to avoid further damage.

The official said that upon receiving these instructions, the Wasa repaired the water supply line which was damaged once again creating an acute water shortage in the adjoining areas including Amarpura, Kohati Bazaar, Naz Cinema and Khanna Road.

He said the Wasa failed to relocate the main water supply line the begging of construction work for the elevated road of Metro Bus service.

“The agency was given Rs54 million for this purpose but it did not complete the work,” he said.

When contacted, Wasa Managing Director Raja Shaukat Mehmood confirmed that the Wasa sought additional funds from RDA to replace the damaged water supply line.

“The agency will install a new water supply line measuring 2000 feet from Water Works at Asghar Mall to Kohati Bazaar on Murree Road and the adjoining localities will be connected to this line,” he said.

In response to a question, he said that earlier funds were given to the agency to relocate the main water supply line from Rawal Dam to Rawalpindi city.

He said the agency already relocated the water supply lines around Chandani Chowk and 6th Road flyovers before construction work for Metro Bus Project started.

He said the water supply line from Asghar Mall to Kohati Bazaar had become old and rusty and are likely to be damaged in the coming days when there is increased supply of water in the summer.

“The Commissioner already directed for the water supply lines to be relocated before the re-carpeting of Murree Road as the RDA will not allow digging for a year after the re-carpeting is completed,” he said.

He said the agency has conducted the survey of Murree Road and found that the supply line needs to be replaced urgently as it is damaged at many points.

Published in Dawn March 10th, 2015

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