10 new agencies to help combat urban flooding

Network expansion to cover major, small cities

LAHORE:

The government has moved to strengthen the province's drainage infrastructure by establishing 10 new Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASA) under the Punjab Development Programme, aiming to curb urban flooding and standardise sewerage systems.

According to the Housing Department, the Finance Department has released the required funds, and appointments have been made for key posts, including managing directors, deputy managing directors, and directors of administration and finance. All newly formed agencies are expected to be operational by August 15.

District transition teams will oversee the transfer of existing drainage resources to the new agencies, with immediate attention given to repairing sewerage systems in high-priority areas.

The agencies will also be tasked with developing disposal stations, water supply systems, and research and development units, as well as deploying trained field staff.

A dedicated helpline will be launched for citizens to lodge complaints, while technical research and engineering solutions will be used to address the root causes of urban flooding.

The housing department said these measures will be supported by integrated planning and resource optimisation to ensure long-term sustainability.

More WASA agencies are planned for additional districts. The provincial government will seek approval from the Provincial Development Working Party for new sewerage and drainage projects in Multan, Hafizabad, Okara, Jhang, Jhelum, Sargodha, and Dera Ghazi Khan.

Proposals include Phase 2 of the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Program, rehabilitation of Disposal Station 9 in Multan, and the development of stormwater drainage systems in multiple districts. Work on sewerage and drainage infrastructure is already underway across Punjab.