Integrated system to be introduced for rainwater drainage

LAHORE:A meeting held at the Civil Secretariat, Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq in chair, reviewed the progress on the Chief Minister Cities Development Programme.

Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed and Special Secretary Development Asia Gul also attended the meeting. Syed Zahid Aziz, Managing Director of Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) gave a briefing on the programme.

Addressing the meeting, Zeeshan Rafiq said that in the first phase, water supply and sanitation facilities will be provided in 20 cities. ‘Data collection work has been completed in 59 more cities. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved a mega programme worth Rs150 billion for the provision of municipal services in 110 cities’, he noted. He said that no sewerage pipeline would be laid inside the towns, instead a bypass model of drainage system will be implemented around small cities to avert the harmful effects of wastewater. ‘New settlements will be connected to this bypass drainage system’, he added.

He said that at least one water storage tank would be built for a population of up to one lac, while more water storage tanks will be built in the same proportion for a population exceeding this. He said that an integrated system will be introduced for rainwater drainage. ‘Waste water will be treated. Pump stations will be shifted to solar system’, he remarked.

The minister directed the PMDFC to devise an effective method of estimation, saying that the style of streets and houses in most cities is similar. He urged that the diameter of any sewerage pipeline should not be less than 12 inches. ‘Under this programme, the needs of cities for the next 25 years will be taken into account’, he vowed.

Zeeshan Rafiq expressed satisfaction that the completion of the programme will benefit 6.5 million people in 110 small cities while 12 million people in 51 big cities. He said that a total of 6,642 green areas will be dedicated with all the cities.

On this occasion, LG Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian directed the PMDFC’s MD to hold a meeting with the administration of each city saying that the programme should be taken forward expeditiously by getting the feedback of the district and tehsil administrations soon.