FAISALABAD. Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Faisalabad is supplying potable water for six hours in a day at present. However, it will be in a position to ensure round the clock supplies to its 40,000 consumers after plugging leakage and pilferage in the system, said Mian Irfan Manan, Vice Chairman, WASA.
Addressing the members of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) here , he said that current demand of potable water is around 160 Million Gallon Per Day (MGDP) but it was in a position to provide only 110 MDDP. He said that 2.5-3 million MGDP more water will be supplied from Gogara Branch canal for which a new plant is under construction at Sain de Khoi. This plant is expected to become operational within next three years, he added.
He said WASA Faisalabad will be the first utility of Pakistan which will provide a comprehensive master plan to cater to future needs of water supply and sanitation for the next 30-35 years. In this connection, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide grant in aid to the tune of US$ 45 million. He said that WASA will also sign a Performance Based Contract with France. The cost of this project is US$ 45 million and under this project, elaborate steps would be taken to stop leakage and theft of water.
Continuing Irfan Manan said that Faisalabad has sewerage system to pump out the domestic and industrial affluent but there is no drainage system to accommodate the rain water. He said that now Government was planning to lay down a separate drainage system for Faisalabad.
Responding a question about Sheikhupura road drain, he said it is a very difficult project. The date for its completion is 14th August but it could be delayed due to the current monsoon season. He further told that bottled water supply under French project has already been started on experimental basis. We are providing 19 liter bottled water with tagged price of only Rs.50. The project is selling out 10000 bottles per month. He said that WASA is providing best quality water but the recovery rate of its bills is very poor. He requested the FCCI to motivate people to pay their bills in time to get better services from the WASA.
Responding to yet another question, Mr. Irfan Manan said that Faisalabad needs at least three combined water treatment plants to cater to its needs. He asked the President FCCI to arrange a study tour of WASA to personally witness the efforts made by this utility to provide best quality services to the people of Faisalabad. He further disclosed that his father Mian Abdul Manan MNA has requested Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to set up a lever cancer hospital in Faisalabad. He told that PM has directed DCO Faisalabad to allocate land for this hospital and assured that funds will be allocated from the Development Budget of this year.
Earlier Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz welcomed Mian Irfan Manan and said that being son of soil, he is rendering best services to this city. Former President Sheikh Abdul Qayyum also pinpointed water supply and sanitation related issues. He was critical of the delay in the construction of Sheikhupura Road drain. He also demanded immediate construction of combined water treatment plants in Faisalabad.
Muzammal Sultan, Rana Sikandar Azam, Chaudhary Muhammad Asghar and Chaudhary Muhammad Boota participated in the Question Answer session while a documentary on WASA was also screened.
