Lahore: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) of the Planning Commission on Wednesday approved the construction of a tunnel boring sewerage project in Lahore, a news source reported. As per officials, the project – proposed by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) would be completed at a cost of PKR 14 billion, and is expected to address the city’s drainage and rainwater accumulation issues.
According to Lahore’s weather data of the past five years, rainwater accumulation in the city sewers has reached an alarming level. WASA Managing Director (MD) Syed Zahid Aziz blamed climate change for the increase in rainfall and rapid, unplanned urbanisation in the provincial capital for the unprecedented increase in urban flooding. He added that urban flooding occurred when rain water accumulated in areas without proper drainage systems.
To increase the capacity of the drainage system in Lahore, WASA has decided to lay down several new large tunnels from Cantt Drain to Gulshan-e-Ravi and from there to Larex Colony. The project will use the latest micro-tunnel boring technology, which works through targeted excavation without open digging; therefore, it will not cause any inconvenience for the locals. There would be no need to shift or suspend services such as internet cables or waterlines as the new tunnels are expected to be laid 30 feet deep underground, far from the infrastructure for other services.
One side of the line will cover most of the central parts of the city, including Shimla Hill, Lakshmi Chowk, Jain Mandir, Garhi Shahu, Egerton Road, Gulshan-e-Ravi, Samanabad, and Nabah Road, Chauburji. The other side will cover Mozang, Samanabad, Shadman, Gulberg, and Bagh Gull Begum.
