RAWALPINDI: The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi has initiated a Rs1.5 billion project to overhaul the city’s sewerage system and relocate a nullah from Qadeemi Imambargah to Ganjmandi to prevent chronic water logging. The project is part of efforts to modernize storm water management and improve urban sanitation.

WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan told reporters that encroachments had obstructed the old nullah, making cleaning impossible. The agency plans to shift the watercourse from Qadeemi Imambargah to Delhi Dawakhana on Ghazni Road, where it will discharge into Leh Nullah via Ganjmandi, effectively resolving flooding issues in the area.

Under the Punjab Development Programme for the West Zone, Wasa will install 71,350 Rft of trunk sewers, 281,200 Rft of lateral sewers, and 7,200 Rft of cemented storm water drains. The network is designed to ensure safe wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal while reducing urban flooding during monsoon seasons.

The agency confirmed that the Punjab government is providing the necessary funds, while WASA will cover operational and maintenance costs from its internal resources. The project’s first phase will benefit union councils 1 to 20 and 33 to 41, impacting roughly 750,000 residents and aligning with Sustainable Development Goal targets.

In addition to the nullah relocation, Wasa plans to clean Leh Nullah, pending the release of Rs80 million from the government. Surveys identified 19 vulnerable points along the nullah, which will be addressed to prevent flood risks and improve storm water flow.

Azizullah Khan emphasized that the project aims not only to upgrade infrastructure but also to protect communities from recurring floods and waterborne hazards. Completion is expected ahead of the monsoon season, ensuring a cleaner and safer Rawalpindi for residents.