Rawalpindi: The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi on Monday initiated the cleaning drive of Leh Nullah ahead of monsoon season, according to news sources.
It was highlighted that the cleaning drive of Leh Nullah will cost around PKR 30 million and is expected to be completed by June 30. WASA Managing Director (MD) Raja Shaukat Mehmood announced that the drive has been initiated from Gawalmandi. He said that challenging points have been identified and work will be launched in two phases.
Mr Mehmood also revealed that in the first phase, WASA plans to excavate trash under the eight bridges of Leh Nullah and in the second phase, the agency will clear construction waste dumped along Leh from I.J. Principal Road to Moti Mahal Bridge. He also said that heavy machinery would remain at the site till the rainy season approaches.
The managing director also opined that the agency spends millions annually to clear the nullah each year and the practice of dumping construction material here should be stopped. As per the official, eight problematic sections have been identified where most garbage was spotted during a survey conducted by the district administration.
It was also announced that the commissioner also banned the dumping of waste in and around the nullah to prevent flooding. Additionally, WASA has announced its decision to clean 11 big nullahs of Rawalpindi and sought financial help from the district administration for this purpose. Mr Mehmood iterate that PKR 50 million is required for the cleaning of nullahs and cited encroachments in the area to be the main hurdle in the process.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has projected higher than usual rain spells in June and July, while also predicting above-normal precipitation in northern Punjab, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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