Punjab okays feasibility study for revised Leh project

The Secretary of Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering department, Punjab has granted administrative approval for the feasibility study of the revised scope of the Nullah Leh project, which includes the sewerage trunk and flood channel.

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has been directed to issue advertisements for hiring expert companies to carry out the feasibility study.

The Authority, designated as the executing agency for the Nullah Leh project, had previously been officially notified by the Punjab government through a formal letter about the project's new scope under the name "Sewerage Trunk and Flood Channel," which has already been approved by the Punjab cabinet.

It is worth noting that, for the past 30 years, the provincial government has spent billions of rupees annually on cleaning the Nullah Leh and increasing its depth, only for the same practice to be repeated before the next monsoon season.

Despite these efforts, the residents of Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas continue to suffer from severe flooding and environmental pollution caused by the open sewerage system, particularly during the monsoon season.

Once the feasibility study is completed, the new project will consist of the sewerage trunk, flood channel, and a traffic route connecting the twin cities.

The total estimated cost for the feasibility study and detailed design of the Nullah Leh Project is Rs41.260 million. As the project's executing agency, the RDA has initiated the process of soliciting proposals from consultants following administrative approval from the competent authority.

The selected consultant will be required to submit the feasibility study report to the RDA within six months, after which the process of awarding the project contract will begin.

Sources say Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has instructed that the project be given a more refined and efficient structure and that work should commence promptly.

The project is expected to be completed in the shortest possible time to provide the residents of Rawalpindi relief from recurring flood disasters and hazardous environmental pollution, they add.

Once the feasibility study is concluded, the project will not only address the ongoing flooding and pollution issues but also enhance the city's infrastructure by improving drainage systems and flood management.