HYDERABAD: Commissioner Nadee­mur Rehman has ordered an inquiry into expenditure of Rs75 million funds released by the Sindh government for improvement of the city’s drainage system and desilting of stormwater drains.

He passed the orders during a visit to the pumping stations of the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and its drainage system.

He expressed his anguish over Wasa’s performance at its different facilities in Hyderabad, Latifabad and Qasimabad.

He was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Fuad Soomro, acting Wasa managing director Anjum Saeed and Hyderabad municipal commissioner Fakhir Shakir.

He warned Wasa officials that if any part of the city faced inundation during the monsoon rains, the agency and HMC would be held responsible. He said it was surprising to note that bills for works were being prepared paid but Wasa’s performance remained absolutely unsatisfactory.

He asked the Wasa MD to submit details of income and expenditure of the agency in his office so that action could be taken against those responsible after holding an inquiry.

The commissioner said the Sindh government had released a grant of Rs75m to Wasa for improvement of drainage and drinking water supply, but it still had failed to perform.

He said it showed that Wasa and the HDA wanted to create problems for district and divisional administrations.

He said Wasa would have to perform come what may and the funds released would have to be spent.

He directed Wasa to make sure that all pumping stations remained functional during rains and standby generators must be available. He called for submission of reports about pumping stations.

He asked the Wasa MD to submit a report in his office about illegal water connections in the city after cutting them off. He also ordered registration of cases against encroachers of drains after demolishing all structures on them.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2022