Punjab Minister for Housing and Urban Development Bilal Yasin has directed strict action against those responsible for negligence in the Baghbanpura manhole incident and ordered the arrest of the contractor found at fault.
Minister directs strict safety measures at WASA work sites
LAHORE, Jun 06 (APP): Punjab Minister for Housing and Urban Development Bilal Yasin has directed strict action against those responsible for negligence in the Baghbanpura manhole incident and ordered the arrest of the contractor found at fault.
The direction was issued during a meeting of WASA officials chaired by the minister to review the incident and departmental performance, here on Saturday.
Expressing displeasure over the negligence and incompetence, Bilal Yasin said no leniency would be shown towards carelessness that endangered public safety. He directed Director General WASA Punjab Tayyab Fareed to immediately devise a departmental mechanism for disciplinary action and ensure submission of daily survey reports.
The minister stressed that comprehensive safety measures must be adopted during the construction, repair and replacement of manholes. He directed officials to install proper barriers, warning signboards and reflectors at all construction and maintenance sites.
He further ordered that whenever a manhole cover was temporarily removed during development works, alternative safety arrangements should be made mandatory to prevent accidents. “The protection of public life and property is our foremost priority. No compensation can make up for the loss of a human life,” he said.
Minister Bilal Yasin also directed the authorities concerned to adopt special precautionary measures to ensure the safety of pedestrians, motorcyclists and children during ongoing development projects.
The meeting was attended by WASA Vice Chairman Chaudhry Shahbaz Ahmad, Managing Director WASA Lahore Ghufran Ahmad and all town directors.
