Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Managing Director Dr Javed Iqbal has said the agency requires Rs 42 billion for revamping the city's pre-partition sewerage system. He expressed these views while addressing a press conference, here on Tuesday. He said a study, for rehabilitation of central and southern drainage systems, has been completed.
About accumulation of rainwater, he said this happened due to the conversion of storm water drains into sewerage channels, always causing delay in disposal of rainwater especially in the low-lying areas. "A study has been completed to lay separate sewerage pipes along all such channels and this would require at least Rs 4 billion per drain," he remarked. Iqbal appealed to the people of Lahore not to throw solid waste in open drains and sewerage system that were meant for rainwater disposal.
During the first spell of monsoon rains, Wasa successfully drained out rainwater from low-lying areas in minimum time. This is despite the fact that solid waste management staff was on strike, which hindered the drainage work and made the problem worse. After the onset of rain, Wasa field staff rushed to the low-lying areas and worked in the field without any loss of time, he said.
Wasa MD pointed out that among the areas where drainage of rainstorm water was completed in record time were Garhi Shahu, Laxmi Chowk, Mozzang, Chowk Nakhuda, Aziz Road, Plaza Cinema, Thorton Road, Rivaz Garden, Chuburju Chowk, Poonch Road, B-Block Tajpura and Shabab Chowk.