Latest news with #WaterandSanitationAgencies
Express Tribune
11-08-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
10 new agencies to help combat urban flooding
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.
Express Tribune
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Water, sanitation network expanded to 10 cities
In a move to improve clean drinking water and sewerage services across Punjab, the Housing Department has approved the establishment of 10 new Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASAs) in various cities. These include Hafizabad, Jhang, Sialkot, Jhelum, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Okara, Bahawalpur, Sargodha and Dera Ghazi Khan. The relevant authorities have been instructed to appoint managing directors for the newly proposed agencies. The announcement came during an emergency visit by Punjab Secretary for Housing, Urban Development & Public Health Engineering Noorul Amin Mengal to the WASA headquarters in Faisalabad. He chaired a high-level meeting attended by FDA Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhry, WASA Managing Director Aamir Aziz, DG PHA Dilawar Khan, and other officials, where an extensive review of ongoing development schemes, sewerage improvements, and clean water supply projects was conducted. Mengal emphasised the Punjab chief minister's personal commitment to ensuring the availability of clean drinking water and modern sewerage infrastructure for the public. He said projects worth Rs150 billion are currently being executed under WASA's supervision and assured that their progress and quality will be closely monitored by the department. To ensure transparency and high standards, Quality Assurance Committees are being formed and special monitoring cells will oversee the technical aspects of all ongoing projects. Mengal issued directives to prioritise public convenience during development work by avoiding unnecessary excavations and ensuring prompt restoration of affected areas to minimise disruption to daily life. The housing secretary made it clear that negligence, malpractice, or delays in project execution will not be tolerated and that strict departmental action will be taken against those found responsible.
