Sewerage system collapses after rainfall

Funds not released for 148km scheme approved two years ago

MULTAN:

A nearly 1,200 kilometres long portion of the Water and Sanitation Agency’s (WASA) 1,800km sewerage system has collapsed.

Heavy rains have damaged dozens of major roads due to the dilapidated sewerage system.

Reportedly, funds for a 148km sewerage scheme approved two years ago could not be released.

This year too, allocated funds to tune of more than Rs350 million could not be transferred to WASA.

The 30-year-old sewerage system at Nawabpur Road, Kachehri Road, Circuit House Road, Shalimar Colony, Surajkund Road and in other areas has become a headache for the citizens.

The 1,800km long sewerage system of WASA Multan has become dysfunctional due to the non-availability of funds.

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The Express Tribune learnt that the sewerage system covering about 1,200km has collapsed. As a result of the recent monsoon rains, dozens of incidents of damage to roads occurred in different parts of the city.

Sewerage lines in the streets have turned into up to 20 feet wide pits, which have not yet been repaired.

On the other hand, in 2018, a scheme to replace WASA's 148km sewerage lines was approved. However, funds for the work have not been transferred to WASA yet.

This year also more than Rs350 million development funds were approved in the budget for the replacement of sewerage lines, but the progress has been limited to paperwork only.

Under the scheme, sewerage lines of 12 inches to 72 inches were to be laid in Circuit House Road, Shalimar Colony, Waterworks, TB Hospital Road, Mustafa Road Chungi No 14, Gulzar Madina Colony, MDA Road and other areas.

WASA MD Nasir Iqbal said that he has been aware of the sewerage problems in the city. “We are preparing schemes for the solution of sewerage problems and work in this regard will be started after getting the approval of the schemes and funds,” said the MD.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2020.