Punjab spends Rs 800-mn for water supply

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Irrigation, Raja Riaz Ahmad has said that the government was spending an amount of Rs 800 million for the water supply and sanitation schemes in rural and urban areas of the province.

While talking to the delegation of MPAs, councillors and political workers, he said that this amount is higher by 23 percent as compared to the last year's allocation of Rs 6500 million.

Raja Riaz said that priorities outlined for the sector are improving water supply and sanitation coverage particularly in Barani and brackish areas of the province.

The minister urged the delegation to encourage participatory management, community mobilisation in project identification and execution, integrated rural water supply and sanitation schemes, waste water treatment for improving environmental pollution and protecting water bodies and resource generation for sustained O&M through community participation.

Irrigation minister said that under this programme, 55 percent funds would be spent in rural areas. Like wise, sewerage and water supply system will be improved in five major cities with an amount of Rs 3 billion.

He said that the government was spending Rs 2 billion for improving water and sanitation facilities, construction of link roads and provision of necessary facilities for improving standard of life in low-income areas.

He further said that another sum of Rs 70 million was being spent on urban sewerage schemes in the districts of Muzaffargarh, Sahiwal and Chakwal City. Likewise, Rs 40 million for rehabilitation of Rohi nullah and Kasur city sewerage system, Rs 50 million for urban water supply and sewerage scheme for Pakpattan and Arifwalla and Rs 750 million for sewerage scheme and treatment plant for R.Y. Khan were being spent.