LAHORE: The government has moved to strengthen the province’s drainage infrastructure by establishing 10 new Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASA) under the Punjab Development Programme. The goal is to curb urban flooding and standardize sewerage systems.
According to the Housing Department, the Finance Department has released the required funds, and key posts such as managing directors, deputy managing directors, and directors of administration and finance have been filled. All newly formed agencies are expected to be operational by August 15.
District transition teams will oversee the transfer of existing drainage resources to the new agencies, with immediate attention focused on repairing sewerage systems in high-priority areas.
The agencies will also work on developing disposal stations, water supply systems, and research and development units, while deploying trained field staff. A dedicated helpline will be launched for citizens to lodge complaints, and technical research and engineering solutions will be applied to address the root causes of urban flooding.
The Housing Department stated that these measures will be supported by integrated planning and resource optimization to ensure long-term sustainability.
Further expansion of WASA agencies is planned for additional districts. The provincial government will seek approval from the Provincial Development Working Party for new sewerage and drainage projects in Multan, Hafizabad, Okara, Jhang, Jhelum, Sargodha, and Dera Ghazi Khan.
Proposals include Phase 2 of the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Program, rehabilitation of Disposal Station 9 in Multan, and the development of stormwater drainage systems in multiple districts. Work on sewerage and drainage infrastructure is already underway across Punjab.
