WASA removes hydrants as water project goes online

Kehkashan scheme to supply densely-populated areas along Adiala Road

RAWALPINDI:

The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) in Rawalpindi said on Wednesday that it had removed 35 illegally installed hydrants in areas along the Adiala Road after the completion of the ‘Kehkashan Water Supply Scheme’.

The water project, initiated in 2019, was completed at a cost of Rs350 million and will supply water to ten densely-populated communities along Adiala Road including Kehkashan Colony, Sanjoli State, Janjua Town, Bunkers Colony, Jarahi, Ali Town, and Rah-e-Sukoon Colony.

Prior to the water scheme, the areas faced an acute shortage of water. It resulted in ‘criminal elements’ installing 59 illegal water hydrants to sell water in these communities. Residents of these areas were compelled to purchase water tankers due to a lack of supply.

Wasa said 35 hydrants had been removed while the remaining 24 illegal water hydrants would be removed as planned.

It added that 7,000 connections would be made available for the new water supply network. Moreover, 2,200 old water supply connections have been regularised.

It said they had received applications from customers for more than 900 underpriced water supply connections. The connections would be given to consumers once the rates are finalised, said the agency.

Nine tube wells were installed in Gorakhpur as part of the Kehkashan water scheme. An eleven-kilometre water supply line connects it to the Kehkashan scheme. The project includes the installation of two intermediate pumping stations at Jirahi and Dagal. Two overhead tanks and two ground storage tanks have also been constructed.

WASA said that it aims to provide 10,000 water connections through the scheme, with each user to get water through his connection. The agency’s managing director added that a survey team has been formed to examine water supply connections, and it would start work next week.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2023.