RAWALPINDI: The district administration has directed Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to complete the ongoing first phase of Punjab Development Programme worth over Rs5 billion by June 30.
Large-scale development projects are underway in Rawalpindi to improve the sewerage system and urban infrastructure under the Punjab Development Programme launched on the direction of the chief minister.
Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema told Dawn that the government had released funds for the revamping of the sewerage system for the first time. “The project was divided into two phases. In the first phase, the sewerage laying work will be completed by June 30 and work on the second phase will start in September,” he said.
“As monsoon will start after June 30, Punjab government has banned development activities during this period to avoid slushy mess and flooding in cities across the province.”
Rain emergency will be imposed from June 15 to Sept 15 to avoid flooding, says DC
The district administration would impose a rain emergency in the city from June 15 to September 15 to avoid flooding, he added.
He said during the two months of monsoon, the Punjab government has directed not to carry out any work related to digging to lay water or sewer pipelines. In this regard, he said, civic bodies and especially Wasa have been directed to complete the development work by June 30 and cover all areas where digging had been done to lay sewerage and water supply lines.
He said Wasa had also been asked to complete the cleanliness of Leh Nullah and 11 other nullahs in the city. A monitoring team of the district administration will inspect all the areas.
Under the development programme worth Rs5 billion, work has been divided into three packages. In package 1, Rs1.3 billion work is underway to lay sewerage lines in Dhoke Hassu, Dhoke Ratta, Pirwadhai, Mohanpura, Khayaban-i-Sir Syed and Dhoke Najju. Total length of the sewer line is 150,439 feet and so far 7,704 feet of critical portion of pipes has been laid.
In package 2, Rs1.18 billion work is being conducted in New Katarian, F Block, Saidpur Scheme, Eidgah, Dhoke Babu Irfan, Pindora, Malpur, Satellite Town, Asghar Mall, B & D Blocks Sattelite Town. Total length of the sewer lines is 136,331 feet and so far 8,500 feet pipes have been laid.
In Package 3, Rs1.267 billion worth of work is being carried out at Hamilton Road Dingi Khoi, Jamia Masjid Road, Qadeemi Imambargah and total length of the sewer line is 6,000 feet and 900 feet sewer has been laid so far.
Wasa Managing Director Azizullah Khan told Dawn that work on the first phase of these three packages was near completion, adding: “We will close the first phase by June 30.” He said that the second phase will start by September 15 and the project will be completed before the next summer.
He said Wasa will complete the desilting of Nullah Leh on time and effective measures would be taken to protect the city from urban flooding before the upcoming monsoon season. He
Mr Khan said Wasa was utilising all available resources to provide better facilities to the citizens, make monsoon arrangements, combat dengue in the light of the Punjab government’s directives.
Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2026