Latest news with #RawalpindiWaterandSanitationAgency
Express Tribune
25-06-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Downpour debunks drainage promises
The road has become sloppy, with several inches of it submerged in layers of sewage. PHOTO: EXPRESS The second spell of heavy pre-monsoon rain on Wednesday exposed the hollow claims of the Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Rawalpindi Solid Waste Management Company (RWMC), Cantonment boards, and Rawalpindi District Council about the cleaning of Nullah Leh and 15 stormwater drains. Despite the reported expenditure of Rs140 million on desilting efforts, waterlogged streets and flooded commercial and residential areas painted a different picture. Streets and markets were submerged under up to three feet of water, causing severe damage to homes and shops. Citizens reported millions in losses as water entered buildings. WASA officials were visible only at Committee Chowk underpass, while no senior official from any agencyincluding the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, DG RDA, MD WASA, or District Council Administratorwas seen in affected low-lying areas. Rainwater and sewage remained stagnant for 4 to 6 hours, leaving a trail of mud, hospital waste, dead rodents, garbage, and fruit peels once the water receded. No personnel from the Solid Waste Management Company's 'Clean Punjab Project' were seen in the affected neighbourhoods on Wednesday. Streets turned muddy and impassable, raising health concerns. Residents in areas like Javed Colony and Nadeem Colony described how water entered their homes within three hours of rainfall starting at dawn. They were left to manually drain water using buckets. Even parked vehicles, including loaders and rickshaws, were inundated with two feet of water and had to be push-started after hours. Leaking ceilings in court buildings and on the Metro Bus track further indicated infrastructure vulnerabilities. Residents demanded an audit of the Rs. 140 million spent on cleaning Nullah Leh and storm drains, questioning why such devastating flooding occurred if the work had indeed been completed. In many inner-city areas, residents have begun temporary evacuations. Among the worst-hit locations were Nadim Colony, Javed Colony, Fazalabad, Arya Mohalla, Dhok Elahi Bakhsh, Dhok Khaba, Amarpura, Qasimabad, Mohanpura, Pirwadhai, and several neighbourhoods around Dhok Hassu, Dhok Ratta, and People's Colony. Commercial hubs like Bohar Bazaar, Lal Haveli, Moti Bazaar, and Shalley Valley also remained submerged for over three hours.
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Funds sought for drains' desilting
The Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has requested a grant of Rs1 billion from the Punjab government for the purchase of heavy machinery to ensure continuous cleaning of Nullah Leh and adjoining drains throughout the year, especially ahead of the monsoon season. According to sources, WASA has been outsourcing the de-silting of Nullah Leh and associated sewerage drains for the past three decades due to a lack of in-house heavy machinery, a situation shared by other WASA bodies across Punjab. This year again, Rs150 million will be spent on outsourcing the cleaning contract, and the demand for this amount has already been submitted to the provincial government. In addition to the regular funding request, WASA has also urged the chief minister to provide essential machinery to enable in-house cleaning throughout the year. The agency estimates that with its own equipment, annual operational costs would drop to Rs50 million - currently at Rs150 million - resulting in a savings of Rs100 million annually. Moreover, continuous year-round cleaning could help prevent low-lying areas from flooding during monsoon rains. If the grant is approved, WASA plans to purchase four excavators, six dumpers, two jetting machines, two suction machines, and six water bowsers. WASA Managing Director Muhammad Salim Ashraf stated that the agency would establish a routine cleaning system with improved efficiency and reduce the flood threat by increasing the depth of Nullah Leh, enabling faster drainage into the Soan River. He said that a clean drainage system would help prevent flooding and significantly reduce annual maintenance costs. Nullah Leh frequently causes extensive flooding in low-lying areas of the twin cities during heavy monsoon rains, often resulting in significant financial losses and, at times, tragic loss of life.
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
WASA submits PC-II for key water project
The Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has prepared the PC-II for the Daducha Dam Water Supply project and sent it for approval. The Rs50 million PC-II has been submitted to the Punjab secretary of housing and forwarded to the Planning and Development Wing (P&D) for final approval. Upon completion of the project, Rawalpindi will have access to an additional 35 million gallons of water per day. Once the PC-II for the Daducha Dam Water Supply project is approved and funds are released, the project's design will be finalised, including the route and network for bringing water from the dam to the filtration plant and to people's homes. After the completion of PC-II, the project cost will be determined, and PC-I will be prepared. The project will provide an additional 35 million gallons of water daily to Rawalpindi. The completion of the Daducha Dam project is being carried out under the Punjab Irrigation Department, while WASA will finalise the route for the water filtration plant, mainline installation, and water distribution network to ensure the supply of 35 million gallons of water per day to Rawalpindi's residents. WASA's Managing Director, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, stated that work will commence once the PC-II is approved and the funds are released. He emphasised that WASA aims to complete the project as soon as possible to begin providing water to the citizens. Ashraf also said that work is ongoing in phases on the Chehan Dam Water Supply Project, and the project to upgrade the water supply from Rawal Dam is also under process. These projects will collectively provide 25 million gallons of water per day. Once the task of supplying 60 million gallons of water per day from Chehan Dam, Rawal Dam, and Daducha Dam is completed, it will help balance the growing demand for water with the increasing population, ensuring a steady supply of water. Rawalpindi currently faces a water shortage crisis which deepens in summers. The successful completion of the Daducha Dam Water Supply project, along with the ongoing initiatives for the Chehan Dam and Rawal Dam upgrades, is expected to significantly address Rawalpindi's water shortage issues. These projects will provide a much-needed boost to the city's water supply, especially during the summer months when demand peaks. The combined efforts of WASA and the Punjab Irrigation Department aim to not only meet the immediate needs of the growing population but also ensure sustainable access to clean water for residents in the long term. Once fully operational, these projects will be a key solution to Rawalpindi's water crisis, offering a steady and reliable water source for years to come.
Express Tribune
21-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
WASA seeks approval of key water project's PC-II
The Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has prepared the PC-II for the Daducha Dam Water Supply project and sent it for approval. The Rs50 million PC-II has been submitted to the Punjab secretary of housing and forwarded to the Planning and Development Wing (P&D) for final approval. Upon completion of the project, Rawalpindi will have access to an additional 35 million gallons of water per day. Once the PC-II for the Daducha Dam Water Supply project is approved and funds are released, the project's design will be finalised, including the route and network for bringing water from the dam to the filtration plant and to people's homes. After the completion of PC-II, the project cost will be determined, and PC-I will be prepared. The project will provide an additional 35 million gallons of water daily to Rawalpindi. The completion of the Daducha Dam project is being carried out under the Punjab Irrigation Department, while WASA will finalise the route for the water filtration plant, mainline installation, and water distribution network to ensure the supply of 35 million gallons of water per day to Rawalpindi's residents. WASA's Managing Director, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, stated that work will commence once the PC-II is approved and the funds are released. He emphasised that WASA aims to complete the project as soon as possible to begin providing water to the citizens. Ashraf also said that work is ongoing in phases on the Chehan Dam Water Supply Project, and the project to upgrade the water supply from Rawal Dam is also under process. These projects will collectively provide 25 million gallons of water per day. Once the task of supplying 60 million gallons of water per day from Chehan Dam, Rawal Dam, and Daducha Dam is completed, it will help balance the growing demand for water with the increasing population, ensuring a steady supply of water. Rawalpindi currently faces a water shortage crisis which deepens in summers. The successful completion of the Daducha Dam Water Supply project, along with the ongoing initiatives for the Chehan Dam and Rawal Dam upgrades, is expected to significantly address Rawalpindi's water shortage issues.
Express Tribune
02-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
WASA 'fails to satisfy' CM inspection team
Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf and Deputy Managing Director Zeeshan Shaukat Gondal appeared before the Punjab Chief Minister's Inspection Team in Lahore to explain alleged irregularities in the awarding of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Chahan Dam Water Supply project contract. However, sources said the officials failed to satisfy the inspection team, and a final report will soon be submitted to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. They said the contract for Lot 2 and Lot 3 of the Chahan Dam Water Supply Project, valued at Rs20.4 billion, was awarded solely to the Turkish company Five H Insaat, despite a successful joint bid by Five H Insaat and the Pakistani company Qasim & Co. In response, Qasim & Co. challenged the decision in court, prompting the matter to be brought to CM Maryam Nawaz's attention. Concerned over transparency violations, she ordered a fact-finding inquiry by CMIT, directing the team to submit a report within seven days. Following the directive, Chief Minister's Inspection Team Chairman Salman Ijaz, along with members Ahsan Waheed, Ghulam Abbas Warraich, and an engineering expert, initiated the investigation. WASA MD Muhammad Saleem Ashraf and DMD Zeeshan Shaukat Gondal were summoned to Lahore with all relevant records. Sources reveal that during the initial inquiry, both officials failed to provide satisfactory answers to the team's questions, leaving the inspection team unconvinced. The investigation is examining all aspects of the case, particularly why a contract worth Rs20.4 billion was awarded in violation of transparency laws and regulations and whether it was done under pressure or on someone's instructions. The fact-finding report will be presented to CM Maryam Nawaz, who will decide on any action against those responsible.
