GUJRAT: The execution of the much awaited sewerage scheme worth Rs1 billion has been launched near Servis Morr along old GT Road.

The work on laying the sewerage pipeline and disposal station of the scheme has begun by the Public Health Engineering Department. Although the scheme’s execution has been planned in four different portions, work between Shadman Colony and Bhimbher storm water channel near Rehmania area along GT Road has started, says a senior administrative official.

He told Dawn that the initial project might resolve the issue of poor drainage system along Rehman Shaheed Road and Jalalpur Jattan Road which had been one of the most troubled spots of the city. However, he said, in later phases, sewerage pipelines would be laid down between Shadiwal Road (Kalara disposal) to Hariyewala Chowk along GT Road bypass, Prince Chowk and Jattuwakal areas of the city.

The main disposal station of Shadman to Rehmania sewerage line was being built in the front ground of the Government Comprehensive School where digging was initiated by excavator machines on Saturday.

Deputy Commissioner Amer Shahzad Kang, along with other officials, inspected the sites for disposal station as well as the starting point of the pipeline laying. The DC told the engineers and other officials that with the execution of such scheme the issue of water drainage from the city would be reduced and directed the officials to ensure the quality and good pace of the work in the interest of the masses.

The Rs1 billion sewerage scheme was part of the uplift package for the PML-Q by former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar in the last fiscal year 2021-22 and the contract of the scheme was awarded by the then government.

Sources said the execution was delayed owing to unavailability of a proper site for the establishment of disposal station as initially the area people near Rehmania storm water channel resisted it and later, the administration of the school also raised objection to utilisation of the school ground.

They said the education department finally permitted the use of school ground’s front portion toward old GT Road for the purpose.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2022