WASA Rawalpindi proposes Rs985 million for water projects

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has proposed Rs985 million for the new fiscal year for water-related projects including the up-gradation of 55 parks across the district, enhancing recreation zones, construction of underground water tanks to store rainwater in parks, parks security, protection of old plants and the up-gradation of new nurseries.

Water and Sanitation Agency officials said that all these projects will be completed in a year.

Of these projecsts, Rs100 million has been proposed for the up-gradation, Rs200 million for constructing multipurpose complexes in major parks, Rs100 million for the city's beautification, Rs200 million for constructing new underground water tanks to store rainwater, Rs125 million for the project of old plants and the up-gradation of nurseries, Rs 100 million for parks' security, Rs100 million for new amusement zones in parks and Rs60 million for the water supply project in Pothohar Park Dhok Manshi.

Parks and Horticulture Authority Chairman Asif Mehmood said that the proposed budget has been forward to the Punjab government for approval.

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“We have increased the beautification of all important parks in Rawalpindi. Closed-circuit cameras will be installed for security.

Hospitals will have fewer patients if the number of parks is increased,” he said adding that families' entries have also been protected in parks, and the number of families and children visiting Allama Iqbal Park, Pothohar Park, and Rawal Park has increased.

He said that the stored rainwater will be used for irrigation of large parks.

“This will save money used to run expensive tube wells,” he said adding that electronic swings were being introduced to attract children to parks.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2022.