PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to extend Municipal Services Programme to the cities of Dera Ismail Khan, Mingora and Dir to improve sewerage system, tubewells and replacement of rusted pipes.

The project, which will cost Rs1.25 billion, will be completed in September 2018, according to a handout issued here on Tuesday.

The decision was taken in ameeting chaired by Provincial Senior Minister Inayatullah here on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by Riaz Mehsud, the project director of Municipal Services Programme; chief executive officers of Water and Sanitation Services of Peshawar, Mingora, Dir, Dera Ismail Khan; tehsil municipal officers of Dera Ismail Khan, Mingora, Dir; and other officials concerned.

Briefing the meeting, Mr Mehsud said that primary and secondary drains would be constructed in nine union councils in urban areas of Mingora, namely Rahimabad, Gul Kada, Malakaman, Landay Kas, Saidan, Amankot, Rang Mohallah, Malookabad, Shah Dara, Nawa Kallay and Banr.

Similarly 52 tubewells will be improved and rehabilitated whilerusted and leaked pipes in Mingora city will be replaced. The three projects will cost Rs100 million.

The official said that primary and secondary drains and 14 tubewells in eight union councils of Dera Ismail Khan city would be rehabilitated.

The rusted and leaked pipes will also be replaced. It will cost Rs800 million.

Mr Mehsud said that sewerage system in Dir city would also be constructed and rehabilitated. He added that water treatment plants would be installed and gravity based water supply system would be improved and extended to Dir city. He said that rusted and leaked water pipes would be replaced and would be extended to more areas of Dir city.

Speaking on the occasion, seniorminister said that under the umbrella of MSP, 147,699 meters drains had been cleaned, 26,000 meters water supply pipes had been rehabilitated, 22 blocked public toilets and 71,250 meters drains had been rehabilitated. He said that it cost more than Rs5,000.

The minister said rehabilitation of 41,356 meters drain, 134 tubewells and construction of four public toilets were in progress in Peshawar city and would be completed soon. He added that drainage system of Tehkal Bala and Payan would be upgraded and waste water treatment plant of Hazaar Khwani would be rehabilitated.

The minister directed the officials concerned to expedite work on development schemes and ensure their early completion.