Commissioner orders fast-track completion of WASA projects

MULTAN, Jun 29 (APP): Commissioner Multan Division Aamir Karim Khan on Monday directed the authorities concerned to expedite work on all development projects being executed under the Punjab Development Programme (PDP) and ensure their timely completion.

Chairing a review meeting of the ongoing Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) schemes, the commissioner said the Punjab government’s development projects were aimed at providing immediate relief to the public and should be made fully functional instead of merely completing civil works.

He directed deputy commissioners to personally monitor the projects through regular site visits and ensure effective coordination among departments, consultants and contractors to remove bottlenecks without delay.

Keeping in view the monsoon season, he ordered that all disposal stations, Urban Drainage and Sewerage Treatment (UDST) facilities and other drainage infrastructure be made fully operational at the earliest to facilitate citizens and prevent urban flooding.

The commissioner also directed officials to complete backfilling, road restoration, cleanliness and finishing work at construction sites and asked them to highlight the practical benefits of the projects by comparing conditions before and after completion.

Expressing displeasure over delays in some schemes, Aamir Karim Khan directed the officers concerned to strictly observe deadlines while maintaining quality standards.

The meeting was informed that six major WASA projects worth Rs 25.84 billion were under execution under the Punjab Development Programme, including upgradation of disposal stations, replacement of obsolete sewerage lines and provision of sewerage facilities in underserved areas.

Officials said Rs 4.696 billion had been allocated for the fiscal year 2025-26, while Rs 21.104 billion would be utilized by June 2027. The projects include laying 232 kilometres of RCC sewer lines, 16 kilometres of HDPE force mains, restoration of 168 kilometres of tuff pavers and 64 kilometres of roads, besides installation of 33,257 manhole covers, 88 pumps, 43 generators and 40 transformers.

The meeting was further informed that WASA would also receive additional machinery, including water bowsers, hydraulic loader rickshaws, excavators, dewatering sets, winch machines, tractor trolleys and desilting machines to strengthen its operational capacity. Critical components of the projects were expected to be completed by August 2026, while the entire programme was scheduled for completion by December 2027.