Sewerage project delay to raise cost

LAHORE:

The cost of an underground sewerage pipeline project in the provincial capital is set to increase further from the current estimate of Rs50 billion reached over time since the initial Rs14 billion.

Before awarding the tenders for the project, the caretaker government of Punjab has issued orders to change the previously approved design of the pipeline network, raising fears of suspension of the project once more, while also potentially causing additional expenses. The design changes have been ordered because of the Elevated Expressway project.

The project is being financed by the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank.

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According to officials, the existing main sewerage pipeline has worn out in most areas of central Lahore, resulting in escalating drainage issues.

Due to a lack of funding from the Punjab government, the WASA had reached out to several foreign organisations, eventually securing support from the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank in the form of a soft loan, which was approved by both the provincial and federal governments. The PC-1 and loan approval for the project were obtained.

As per the agreement between the bank and WASA, Rs14.5 billion cpst was estimated on the project.

The bank awarded a contract to a US company to conduct the boring feasibility report and oversee the project to completion, for which it was entitled to Rs350 million, paid in the initial phase.

The design was prepared to lay the pipeline with the boring method.

Under the plan, excavation for the pipeline had to commence from the Railway Colony, passing under Shimla Pahari, Queen's Road, Punjab Assembly, AG Office, Chaubarji, Sham Nagar and reaching the Gulshan Ravi Disposal Station.

The second sewage drainage route was from Gulberg to the disposal station via Zafar Ali Road, Shadman and Samanabad, and the third from Allama Iqbal Road to Lakmshi Chowk.

All three routes converged at the Ravi disposal junction and collectively spanned 22 kilometres, with the modern boring method ensuring that roads would not require excavation to lay the sewerage pipeline, thereby minimising traffic disruptions and allowing the pipelines to be laid beneath buildings.

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Due to delays in approval, inflation and foreign exchange fluctuations, the estimated cost rose earlier to Rs21 billion and has now escalated to Rs50 billion.

The project was slated to be completed in three years.

However, while international tenders were being sought for the project, the caretaker government initiated the Elevated Expressway project, resulting in orders to WASA to alter the location of the pipelines.

Following the development, WASA has begun designing alternative routes for the project in collaboration with a consultant.

WASA Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed told The Express Tribune that the sewerage pipelines in old city areas had exceeded their lifespan and needed to be replaced.

However, excavation in the areas where the pipelines had to be laid proved to be extremely challenging. So the boring project was initiated with foreign funding and international tenders were set to be issued.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2023.