Dredging, de-silting: Wasa completes Nullah Leh cleanup

RAWALPINDI:

The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has completed the final stage of the de-silting and dredging of Nulleh Leh, the agency’s assistant director (information) Umar Farooq told The Express Tribune on Tuesday.

The official said the project costing Rs92 million began in 2009 and was completed in three phases late last month. “The completion of de-silting and dredging activities for the year 2015 marked the third and final phase of this project,” he said.

According to documents available with The Express Tribune, Wasa was given the responsibility of cleaning Leh in 2009, which involved several short- and long-term plans.

In the final phase the agency completed earthwork of three million cubic feet.

The focus areas for the third phase included down stream Dhoke Najju Bridge, up and down stream Phagwari Bridge and upstream Pirwadhai Bridge.

A committee was set up to monitor the project comprising officials from Wasa, tehsil and town municipal administrations, Rescue 1122, representatives of the army’s 111 Brigade, Japan International Corporation Agency, Chaklala Cantonment Board, Capital Development Authority, meteorological department and the Federal Flood Commission.

According to Wasa, bridge abutments near Leh have also been repaired using the agency’s own resources.

Meanwhile, in order to engage public in sanitation and flood-related issues, Wasa has established field offices in Moti Mahal, Commercial Market, Khayban-e-Sir Syed and Bagh-e-Sardaran along with a water bowser section in Liaquat Bagh.

Areas that are most vulnerable in a flooding event near Leh include Dhoke Najju, Ziaul Haq Colony, Dhoke Ratta, Ratta Amral, Javed Colony, Chaman Zar, Tipu Road, New Phagwari, Gawalmandi, Mohallah Raja Sultan and Dhoke Elahi Bakhsh.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2015.