47pc drinking water unfit: EBA report
LAHORE - The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has yet to replace
about 40 per cent main water supply lines and 0.2 million house
lines identified either as outlived, broken or rusty in the areas
falling within the ambit of the Agency. As the worst situation
persists, the provision of clean drinking water to the City remains
a far cry leading to the outbreak of water-borne diseases such as
gastroenteritis.
Despite the fact that water-borne diseases always play havoc with
the lives of people especially children when Monsoon sets in, the
Wasa is still to ensure the supply of clean potable water.
Sources revealed that the Wasa was entrusted to complete the project
of replacing worn-out water supply lines in one year after its
initiation in 2005. “However, the project could not be completed due
to a number of reasons even after the lapse of three years. Main
reason attributed to this inordinate delay was the incapability of
HDP pipe manufacturers to deliver in time and entertain the demand.
But they furnished their excuse by replying that as the project was
initiated throughout the Punjab simultaneously, their production
capacity could not meet the rising demand,” they maintained.
The sources said the Agency had asked the then government to allow
it to import HDP pipes but it turned down Wasa’s request by saying
‘as per policy, no item can be imported’. “As the owners of pipe
manufacturing companies had greased the palm of the ministers,
therefore, the then government dropped the suggestion and the order
could not be taken back from the said companies,” Wasa sources
disclosed.
They said that though the financial year 2008-09 had drawn to close,
the supply of HDP pipes could not improve. Resultantly, the Wasa
that carried Rs 198 million for the project during this fiscal year
had to surrender Rs 150 million to the Punjab government. Out of Rs
150 million, Rs 48 million was allocated for laying down HDP pipes
by replacing rusty house connections.
The Nation:
By: Yasir Habib Khan |
