Shahbaz issues warning to officers over rainwater accumulation | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Shahbaz issues warning to officers over rainwater accumulation

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that stern action will be taken against the officials responsible if rainwater accumulated anywhere in the provincial metropolis.

He said that he wanted results and would not be satisfied merely with reports, adding that had the system been functioning properly, the rainwater would not have accumulated on roads for a long time even after heavy rain and people would not have faced difficulties.

He was presiding over a meeting regarding arrangements for the monsoon and disposal of rainwater here on Sunday.

Shahbaz said elected representatives and government officers should realize their responsibilities and make the best arrangements for the quick disposal of rainwater. He said it was regrettable that the departments concerned and institutions had not made satisfactory arrangements for the drainage of rainwater. He said had the concerned departments been working in a coordinated manner, the citizens would not have faced inconvenience after the rain.

The chief minister expressed dissatisfaction with the rainwater disposal arrangements and the capacity of the staff concerned in the wake of torrential rain on Saturday and reprimanded the officers over the accumulation of rainwater in the provincial metropolis.

Issuing a warning to the officers concerned to improve performance, he said that he wanted results.

He said improvement of the system was a collective responsibility and rainwater should not remain standing in any area for long.

He directed the Wasa to improve the arrangements for water drainage and said that machinery should remain fully operational and presence of entire staff at the disposal stations should be ensured at any cost.

The CM said that accumulation of water not only in low lying areas but posh areas as well posed a big question about the efficacy of drainage system. He said that submersion of low-lying areas in rainwater was a proof that practical measures had not been taken due to which citizens had to face serious problems caused by heavy rain and traffic jams.

The CM said proper and effective planning should be made for the drainage of rainwater and immediate steps should be taken for removal of shortcoming in the system.

He said development agencies should work in a coordinated manner as water disposal arrangements during Ramazan assumed greater importance. He said that the disposal of rainwater within the stipulated time should be ensured at any cost.

Shahbaz Sharif directed the Wasa authorities that no drain should remain choked.

He took serious notice of accumulation of rainwater at Laxami Chowk and other areas and described it as criminal negligence on the part of officials concerned. He said there was no justification for accumulation of rainwater on the roads up till now.

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