Punjab to build 358 underground water tanks
Lahore to built ten more underground water tanks to reuse the rainwater. PHOTO: PIXABAY
A project to construct 358 underground tanks across Punjab for rainwater drainage and groundwater recharge has been approved.
The decision was taken in a video-link meeting on the Punjab Development Programme, clean water initiatives and the Model Village Project.
Under the plan, 34 large underground storage tanks will be constructed in cities to ensure timely drainage of rainwater, while 324 roadside underground tanks will be built to quickly remove water accumulated on roads.
Recharge wells will also be constructed alongside the underground tanks to improve the water table. The stored water will be treated through plants and reused for irrigation. In addition, 328 wastewater treatment plants will be established across the province.
The meeting was informed that 6,100 kilometres of streets will be paved and 3,498km of sewerage lines laid in various cities. Street lights will be installed at 14,679 locations, while 33 million square feet of tuff tiles will be laid in streets and pathways. To improve drainage and municipal services, 526 tractors and other machines will also be provided.
A factory for producing sewerage pipelines with a lifespan of up to 100 years has been set up in Lahore and is expected to begin production soon.
Officials said projects had been initiated under the programme in Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, Okara, Jhang, Multan and Sialkot, while work would soon begin in Jhelum, Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Rawalpindi.
Drainage systems will also be developed under the Punjab Rural Sanitation Improvement Programme. Development schemes worth Rs59 billion will be implemented in 485 villages under the Model Village Project, while work has started in 200 villages.
Wastewater ponds will be cleaned and treatment plants installed, after which treated water will be supplied for irrigation.
Chairing the meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Naeaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure the functionality of filtration plants for provision of clean drinking water.