Funds not released for storing rainwater
The Punjab Planning and Development Department has reportedly refused to release funds for a water tank project in the city because of its increasing cost.
According to sources in the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), funds are not available to build underground tanks to protect citizens from losses during rains in the coming Monsoon season.
The project had been envisaged as water clogged on the roads during the monsoon season in Lahore for years.
WASA decided to construct the tanks to store rainwater at several locations in the city to solve the problem.
The purpose of the project was not only to store the rainwater but also to maintain the groundwater level.
The first underground tank was built at Lawrence Road, where water used to pool for days. As soon as rain stopped, the water was stored in the tank and the traffic was not affected. The water tank cost Rs150 million.
The authorities then decided to build underground tanks at 12 places, including Ravi Town, Tajpura, Amir Town, Aziz Bhatti Town, Gaddafi Stadium, Gulberg, FC College Ground, Waris Road, Railway Station Park, Dayal Singh College Road, Kashmir Road, Punjab Assembly parking, Sheranwala Gate and Lawrence Road.
However, WASA constructed only two underground tanks at Sheranwala Gate and Kashmir Road at a cost of Rs200 million each.
The civic agency had estimated the cost of construction of all the tanks at Rs1.71 billion. Former chief minister Usman Buzdar had approved the plan.
The sources told The Express Tribune that WASA had sought funds to build the underground water storage, but the LDA cited lack of financial resources.
The sources said WASA had now decided to build underground water tanks at only eight places instead of 12.
The project was sent to the planning and development department for approval and the construction would now cost around Rs700 million.
A WASA official said the important places of the city, including roads, had been surveyed to identify spots where citizens faced more problems after rain. He said 12 underground water tanks had initially been planned but the number had now been reduced to eight because of unavailability of funds.
He said the underground water storage project was the first of its kind in the country.
"We will refer the matter again to the planning and development department for the next financial year," the official added.
Back in 2021, WASA had conducted a survey of the outskirts of the city and identified 28 places where more water accumulated.
The officials concerned pointed out nine key locations where building an underground water tank could help drain rainwater quickly and stabilise the groundwater level.
WASA proposed construction of the tanks at Lawrence Road, Tajpura B Block, Sheranwala Gate, Kashmiri Road, Gaddafi Stadium, Karim Park, Ravi Road, Railway Station Park, Waris Road and Cooper Road. The proposal was sent to Punjab government, which immediately approved it with an estimated cost of Rs2 billion.
Initially, an underground water tank, with a capacity of 1.4 million gallons was built at Lawrence Road, which earlier remained inundated for several hours on rainy days. The tank was built last year at a cost of about Rs190 million.
The rainwater flowed into the underground tank instead of accumulating on the road and the citizens of the area were relieved.
After further planning, the Punjab government also approved the construction of the remaining underground tanks, but the funds could not be disbursed in time.
After release of the funds about a month and a half ago, the construction of the tanks on Sheranwala and Kashmir Roads was started.