'Steps be taken for prompt disposal of rainwater'

The institutions responsible for water disposal in Lahore city during the monsoon should make effective arrangements and strict action would be taken against the officers and officials showing negligence. The decision was taken in a meeting presided over by Hamza Shahbaz Sharif MNA. Among others the meeting was also attended by Members Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Shahbaz Ahmad, Kh. Imran Nazir, Commissioner Lahore, DCO Lahore, MD WASA, MD Solid Waste Management and other officers.
Deputy Secretary Monitoring Kh. Imran Raza gave a detailed briefing to the participants in the meeting with regard to steps taken for prompt disposal of rainwater during monsoon. Addressing the meeting, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif said that Commissioner Lahore, DCO, MD Solid Waste Management and DG LDA should immediately visit the places affected by rain.
He also announced to constitute a committee comprising Commissioner, DCO and DG LDA for taking immediate action against officials and officers displaying negligence in the disposal of rainwater. Water disposal pumps and water de-silting machines would be installed at 28 places in the city, he added.
He also directed MD WASA to inform all the concerned officers about weather situation daily at 9am during monsoon. He said that different teams headed by DCO Lahore and WASA officers will perform duty at the places where water accumulates and head of every team will also apprise the concerned political representatives.
During the meeting, a committee was also formed comprising Chaudhry Shahbaz Ahmad, Haji Naveed Ajnum, Mehr Ishtiaq, Kh. Salman Rafiq and Mian Muhammad Nauman for monitoring the performance of government departments during the monsoon. MPAs of the city will supervise the operations of water disposal during the rain, different teams headed by DCO and WASA officers will perform duty at affected places.
On this occasion, MD WASA informed the meeting that work on a project of sewerage at a cost of Rs 200 million in the city is going on. He said that funds of Rs 40 million are required for the project of sewerage in central Lahore. Hamza directed the heads of all the institutions to remain vigilant and perform their duty with utmost responsibility during the rainy days.