Govt to release funds for Leh desilting

Authorities rush to complete flood prevention work before monsoon season

RAWALPINDI:

The government has decided to release flood funds amounting to Rs154.53 million for the complete desilting and cleaning of Nullah Leh and 15 stormwater drains to protect the city from monsoon-related devastation.

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi has requested immediate funds of Rs84.53 million from the government to safeguard the city from expected above-normal and potentially destructive monsoon rains this year. The funds will be used for widening, cleaning, and deepening Nullah Leh, which spans a catchment area of 239.8 square kilometres.

Currently, heaps of garbage, construction debris, and waste dumped throughout the year have formed mounds at multiple locations in Nullah Leh, raising its bed level. Authorities have warned that failure to carry out complete cleaning, deepening, and widening this year could result in catastrophic flooding.

The flood season for Nullah Leh runs from June 15 to September 15, and the district administration has officially declared this period as the flood season for the drain and 15 other stormwater channels across the city.

The Municipal Corporation will undertake cleaning of the 15 storm drains and has been allocated Rs70 million for the purpose. WASA has received a formal letter from the Punjab government and Chief Minister's Secretariat regarding the release of funds, which are expected to be disbursed in the first ten days of April.

Nullah Lai's catchment area extends across the entire city and cantonment. The Leh Expressway project, once initiated in 2008 by then president General Pervez Musharraf with an estimated cost of Rs17 billion, has been shelved due to a lack of funds. The project cost has now escalated to around Rs70 billion.

Water in Nullah Leh originates from three hill ranges in Islamabad, while sewage from Rawalpindi Cantonment and rainwater also flow into it. Flooding has historically occurred between July and September since 1967.

The drain is heavily polluted with garbage, debris, and untreated wastewater, posing environmental risks to residents. Illegal dumping has narrowed its cross-section, obstructing the natural flow. During dry seasons, reduced water flow leads to the accumulation of solid waste, forming small islands that must be removed to ensure smooth flow during the monsoon.

WASA has proposed Rs84.53 million for this year, including Rs50 million as additional monsoon funds and Rs34.53 million for clearing outstanding liabilities.

Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said the government would fully support WASA in flood prevention efforts, ensuring the provision of all necessary funds for cleaning, widening, and deepening operations, which will be completed before June 30.