Citizens urged not to throw waste in drains

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) on Sunday urged citizens not to throw solid waste into drains particularly, into the Nullah Leh.

According to the WASA managing director, the agency had launched an operation on the directives of Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha against those dumping garbage in nullahs.

He said the Punjab government spends a huge sum of public money every year to clean nullahs and those who throw solid waste into the nullahs do not deserve any kind of leniency.

In view of the rains, the citizens had been requested to cooperate with WASA staff to keep the nullahs clean, the MD said adding that the citizens should come forward and play their role in making the efforts of the sanitation department regarding the cleanliness of nullahs a success. Solid waste should only be deposited at garbage points from where it could easily be removed, he added. As responsible citizens, if they see anyone throwing garbage and solid waste into nullahs, they should immediately report to the police on 15, the MD added. To a question, he said, those who are violating the orders of the district administration were being fined.

Special teams were constituted to conduct raids and fine the violators, he added. The people's role is essential, especially, in protecting low-lying areas of the city from flood devastation.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2023.