ISLAMABAD: The federal capital’s decades-old sewerage system has almost spent its useful life causing problems for citizens in some areas.

Some residents of sub-sector G-9/1 are complaining about the supply of dirty water. Recently, residents of G-10/1 also pointed out the supply of contaminated water.

When contacted, an officer ofthe CDA on Tuesday said complaints from residents of G-10/1 had been resolved. “We have replaced some lines besides cleaning the existing ones so the issue of G-10 is resolved. As far as the issue of G-9/1 is concerned, we have not received any such complaints. “We will look into this issue as well,” he said and added that there was no major issue of contaminated water, but maybe it was some sort of individual level issue or in some streets. “But rest assured, we will fix it,” he said.

On the other hand, a resident of G-9/1 along Rohtas Road told Dawn: “We have been receiving contaminated water for the last two months and so.” She said due to its smell, people were facing problems while using the water for ablution etc.

It is relevant to note here that a couple of months ago, the issue of the outdated sewerage lines was discussed in the Senate.

In response to a question from Senator Kamran Murtaza, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in his written reply in January this year, had informed the house: “Yes, most of the sewerage system in Islamabad was laid at the time of the initial development of sectors almost four to five decades back, hence almost spent its useful life and needs to be replaced.”

He had said a survey was conducted in July 2022 and, subsequently, the urgent replaceable portions of the sewerage network were changed.

On basis of a recent survey, an urgent plan worth over Rs369 million had been submitted for approval, said the interior minister

The minister said a fresh survey was also carried out in July 2024.

“In the light of the fresh survey, a U-plan (urgent plan) worth Rs369.94 million has been prepared and recently submitted to the competent authority for approval which is still awaited.”

He said after receiving complaints from residents and in case any line is found choked; the same was rectified and cleared with manual rodding etc.

Moreover, periodic cleaning is also carried out on a regular basis, the minister had informed the upper house of parliament.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2025