Flood drains’ desilting on the anvils

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has devised a plan aimed at preventing floods in Nullah Leh and ensuring smooth rainwater drainage through the city's major rain drains ahead of the monsoon season in Rawalpindi.

The plan entails desilting, deepening, and widening the 18 km long Nullah Leh along with 10 key rain drains before the onset of the rainy season.

To facilitate this crucial initiative, immediate funds amounting to Rs30 million have been sought from the government.

However, the current economic challenges, including the soaring costs of petrol, diesel, machinery rents, and labour, have led to an estimated additional expenditure of Rs15 million to Rs20 million for silt cleaning.

The financial constraints in Punjab have also impacted other vital projects such as the Nullah Leh Expressway and Sewage Water Treatment Plant, which have been put on hold, pushing the estimated cost of the Nullah Leh Expressway project to over Rs100 billion from its initial estimation of Rs17 billion in 2007.

Efforts to kickstart the silt cleaning of Nullah Leh are slated to begin immediately after Eidul Fitr, with a target completion date set for May 31. This timeline aligns with the upcoming monsoon season, which is expected to span from June 15 to September 15 in Rawalpindi.

As part of the preparation, surveys for silt cleaning have already commenced, and Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Director General (DG) Kinza Murtaza has banned encroachments, garbage dumping, and building material disposal along Nullah Leh's banks. The desilting process, including that of the 10 major drains, will be outsourced to the private sector under WASA's supervision, with contracts segmented across different areas for efficient management.

The private sector's involvement extends to deploying heavy and light machinery for silt cleaning and deepening catchment areas by three to five feet to enhance rainwater drainage. Additionally, measures like straightening and widening bends along Nullah Leh aim to mitigate erosion risks and facilitate faster rainwater flow.

Looking ahead, WASA is gearing up for stricter flood control measures in anticipation of heavy monsoon rains this year. Tenders for silt cleaning are set to be issued post-Eid, with operations slated to commence within the next 30 days. Wasa MD has emphasised the importance of timely safety measures, highlighting last year's successful flood prevention efforts despite heavy rainfall and the commitment to enhanced security arrangements this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2024.