Latest news with #WASA
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Industries to pay for pollution
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a comprehensive plan for the restoration, management and reform of the drainage systems throughout the province. The environmental protection department and district administrations have been strictly directed to ensure legal enforcement of the Punjab Drainage and Local Government Acts. A province-wide operation has been approved to prevent the discharge of toxic water and chemicals into Punjab's drains. Under environmental protection guidelines, the 'polluters pay' principle will be strictly enforced, holding polluting industries accountable for environmental damage. A ban has been imposed on the disposal of industrial and municipal waste into all drains across Punjab, including the Hadyara Drain. As a Drainage Restoration and Management Committee commenced implementation of the measures, in the first meeting chaired by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, a detailed briefing was given on the Hadyara Drain. The environmental protection department was tasked with strict enforcement actions around the Hadyara area. A crackdown will be initiated against factories that fail to install water treatment plants and continue to discharge chemical waste into the drain. The health department was instructed to submit a report and plan regarding public health conditions around Hadyara. WASA, along with the departments of industry and irrigation were directed to take immediate action to improve the conditions. A survey of the drainage system across the province will be conducted to identify flaws and propose solutions. Approval was granted for a plan to repair and upgrade the drainage system. Moreover, it was decided to enhance the wastewater management infrastructure through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The provincial senior minister said key environmental projects have been included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP). Meanwhile, during a meeting with Punjab Assembly Members Muhammad Ahmed Khan Leghari and Naeem Akhtar Khan Bhabha to discuss welfare projects, public problems and development issues of their constituencies, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz termed education and financial independence of the youth her top priorities. She said, "We want to bring benefits of development to every section of the province." The MPAs thanked the chief minister for starting the construction and expansion project of the Multan-Vehari road. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to start classes in the Vehari Girls College after the summer break. She also directed the authorities to launch a water supply scheme for Fort Munro. In her message on the Global Day of Parents, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "Today, do remember those children whose parents sacrificed their precious lives for the security of our beloved homeland." She added, "I also pay tribute to those parents whose children were martyred."
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘WASA Faisalabad completes arrangements for rainy season'
FAISALABAD: Provincial Parliamentary Secretary for Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Barrister Sultan Bajwa has said that WASA Faisalabad has completed all arrangements to provide quality drainage services during the rainy season, all machinery is functional while alternative power arrangements have also been made at the disposal station. Talking to media representatives at WASA Head Office along with Managing Director WASA Amir Aziz, he said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is focused on providing the best drainage services across Punjab including Faisalabad and under a comprehensive and effective plan, WASA Faisalabad has made a lot of improvements in terms of drainage and water supply service delivery during the last one year and currently WASA Faisalabad is at the top in terms of performance among all WASAs across Punjab. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Pre-monsoon drain desilting drive launched
Machinery is being used to speed up the process of desilting of canals in order to provide farmers timely supply of water for their crops. Photo: Express As part of pre-monsoon preparations, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has launched a major desilting operation of the 22-kilometer-long Nullah Leh and 13 major stormwater drains across Rawalpindi. Of total estimated cost of the project is Rs140 million, Rs80m will be spent on the complete desilting and realignment of Nullah Leh, while Rs60m is allocated for the storm drains. The Punjab government has approved the budget for this project. The desilting of Nullah Leh and the storm drains is scheduled for completion by June 30. The flood season for Nullah Leh is expected to run from July to September 15. Following Eidul Azha, a full-scale flood rescue drill will be conducted in low-lying areas like Javed Colony and Nadeem Colony. This exercise will include teams from the 111 Brigade, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, and local police to simulate the evacuation of residents in case of flooding. The 111 Brigade will also be placed on red alert once the flood season begins. From June 15, a centralised Flood Control Room will be activated under the supervision of the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner. This control room, located at the Civil Defence Headquarters, will have representatives from all 12 relevant departments. The Cantonment Boards of Rawalpindi and Chaklala will be responsible for cleaning the 11-kilometer stretch of Nullah Leh and associated storm drains that fall within their jurisdiction. A special survey by the Civil Defence Department has identified 20 high-risk locations along Nullah Leh and the storm drains. These include Javed Colony, Nadeem Colony, Arya Mohalla, Chah Sultan, New Katarian, Amar Pura Drain, Dhok Dalal Lai Bridge, Dhok Najoo, Mohalla Raja Sultan Drain, Hazara Colony, Ratta Amral, Mohanpura, Gawalmandi, Dhok Chiragh Din, Tench Bhatta Chowk, Dhok Khabba, Arya Mohalla (again), and Sadiqabad. The department has recommended enhanced monitoring and deeper desiltingby an additional two to three feetat these vulnerable points. According to the WASA spokesperson and Director of Administration, Umar Farooq, the cleanup is being treated as a top priority. Both heavy and light machinery is being used, and this year, even hard-to-reach areas in narrow, congested streets will be cleared. The desilting will improve water flow in both Nullah Leh and the storm drains. Moreover, the operation will continue beyond the initial cleanup until the end of the flood season.
Leader Live
26-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Wrexham MS reveals plan to improve school children's diets
MS for Wrexham Plans are being put forward by the Welsh Government aimed at ensuring every child in Wales has access to a balanced diet in school. A consultation was launched last week seeking views on proposals which will see primary school menus increase fruit and vegetables, helping more children get their five-a-day. Sugary desserts and fried food will also be limited, in line with UK dietary guidelines. Evidence shows that, on average, children eat too much sugar and don't eat the recommended amounts of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains. This contributes to health issues such as childhood obesity and currently one in four reception-aged children are categorised as overweight or obese. All primary school children in Wales receive free school meals thanks to the Welsh Government – now the rollout is completed, the aim is to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Good nutrition helps children perform better and reach their full potential. It is hoped these changes will help children develop healthy eating habits and nurturing a generation of healthy eaters will help safeguard the future of the NHS. If any parents, teachers, suppliers or young people wish to offer their views, the consultation, which can be found on the Welsh Government website, is now open and closes on 29 July. It has been good in recent weeks to catch up with the Wrexham Academy of Screen Acting (WASA). Based at their studio at the former Kings Mill Visitor Centre, they're passionate about helping aspiring actors develop the skills they need for film, TV and digital media, and they're doing some amazing work in the community. I visited the team a few weeks ago as they wrapped up working and filming with Caia Park Neets. Their short film, 'CAIA' was debuted at Focus Wales. It was amazing to see what they produced in such a short space of time and I was pleased to hear the feedback was extremely positive. WASA are also working with award winning screenwriter and playwright, Peter Cox MBE on a project that will focus on the Gresford Mining disaster. Wrexham is in the spotlight like never before. The city's arts and creative industry is growing and the Wrexham Academy of Screen Acting has a big part to play. As always, if you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: or call 01978 355743.
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pindi's water demand outpaces supply
Six out of nine water filtration plants are in disrepair in Karachi city, where only 150 cylinders of chlorine are available each month. PHOTO: PIXABAY With an expansion in population, groundwater depletion and migration of people to the garrison city, Rawalpindi faces water availability challenges and urgently requires a multi-faceted approach. These approaches include expanding water storage capacity through dams and reservoirs, improving water distribution networks, promoting water conservation measures, and addressing issues like tanker mafia and infrastructure maintenance. Recognising these challenges, the city's civic agencies have been taking measures for the construction of new dams like Chahan and Daducha dams, and side by side steps for maintaining the storage capacity of existing Rawal and Khanpur dams. Managing Director (MD) of Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Muhammad Saleem Ashraf says the Garrison City needs a total water supply of around 51 Million Gallons Daily (MGD) in winter, 30.5 MGD of which is through 480 tube-wells, 10 MGD from the Rawal Dam and 6 MGD from the Khanpur Dam. The city has to face a shortfall of around 7 MGD in winter, which rises to around 19 MGD during summer, with the daily water demand reaching over 70 MGD, he added. Both the cantonments (Rawalpindi and Chaklala) also receive some 12 MGD water from the Rawal Dam, the WASA MD said. For overcoming the water shortage, Saleem says work is already underway on the Developing Resilient Environment and Advancing Municipal Services (DREAMS-I) project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project's overall scope involved the treatment and transportation of 14.5 MGD water from Chahan Dam to Rawalpindi city, besides the improvement and replacement of the city's existing water supply system, he added. Moreover, he said, the rehabilitation and upgradation of Rawal Lake filtration plants were also in process to supply an additional 5 MGD of water to the Garrison City. Similarly, he said, two new heavy pumps are being installed at the Khanpur Dam to increase water supply to 8 MGD. The project to provide a 24/7 water supply to three union councils of Khayaban-e-Sir Syed was also underway." This project (DREAMS) of public importance will be completed in two years instead of the stipulated period of three years," he added. The MD further said that work on the Chahan Dam treatment plant had been kicked off, which was expected to provide 10 MGD of water to Rawalpindi city. He said the feasibility of setting up the Daducha Dam had been included in the Punjab Annual Development Plan, which would hopefully provide 30.5 MGD water to meet the future needs of the city. As regards water losses, he said that water leakage and theft from the distribution network were major sources of water loss and needed to be addressed. He said the Punjab Government had banned the establishment of new car washing stations across the province. In compliance with the orders of the Lahore High Court (LHC), the Punjab Environmental Agency (EPA) had imposed a ban on non-essential use of underground water and violators, including car wash/service stations, would have to face heavy fines, he warned. Chief Executive Officer of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) Syed Ali Rizvi says the RCB provides some 1.50 MGD water to its residents from 55 tube wells, 11.28 MGD from the Khanpur Dam and 0.03 MGD from the Rawal Dam. The RCB's distribution network includes eight overhead reservoirs and 34 underground tanks, he says and adds the Board provides clean drinking water to the people through 52 filtration plants. MNA Malik Ibrar Ahmed says the construction of modern underground tanks having a capacity to store 1 MGD water has entered the final stage. The project aims to provide a lasting solution to the longstanding water shortage in local communities of RCB areas, ensuring improved supply and overcoming the seasonal scarcity, especially during the summer months. He says every year, with the onset of summer, the residents of Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonments face severe water shortages due to the lack of storage facilities, but allocated funds are now being prioritised for the timely completion of the vital projects. The construction of underground tanks at Bhata Chowk, with a storage capacity of 200,000 gallons per day, and Gawalmandi, with a capacity of 100,000 gallons per day, are rapidly progressing, the MNA adds. Additionally, he adds, projects are underway at Naseerabad, Barf Khana Chowk, Ghazi Abad, Afshan Colony, Tench Bhatta, Tahli Mohri, and Wards 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the Chaklala Cantonment, each designed to store 50,000 gallons daily.
