RAWALPINDI: Wasa has been directed to expedite work and complete all monsoon-related preparations before May 31.

The direction was issued by Water and Sanitation Authority (Wasa) Punjab Director General Tayyab Farid to managing directors of all the five Wasas, including Wasa Rawalpindi, while presiding over a meeting.He said cleaning of sewer lines, drains, repairing of heavy machinery, timely installation of monsoon camps as well as training exercises and identification of low-lying areas should be completed by May 31, so that all arrangements are in place before the pre-monsoon season which starts on June 15.

He also reviewed the revenue recovery of all Wasas and said after the establishment of Wasa Punjab, its performance depends on revenue recovery.

Wasa Rawalpindi Managing Director Saleem Ashraf on the occasion said they were working rapidly on cleaning the sewer lines in preparation for the monsoon which will be completed before May 31.

IHe said cleaning of sewer lines, drains, repairing of heavy machinery, timely installation of monsoon camps as well as training exercises and identification of low-lying areas should be completed by May 31, so that all arrangements are in place before the pre-monsoon season which starts on June 15.

He also reviewed the revenue recovery of all Wasas and said after the establishment of Wasa Punjab, its performance depends on revenue recovery.

Wasa Rawalpindi Managing Director Saleem Ashraf on the occasion said they were working rapidly on cleaning the sewer lines in preparation for the monsoon which will be completed before May 31.

I`Wasa has heavy machinery to deal with flooding, including suction machines, jetting machines and dewatering sets, which are in functional condition. Funds have been requested from the Punjab government for cleaning the city`s major 15 drains,` he said.

As soon as the funds are approved, he said, work on cleaning them will start.

He said Wasa Rawalpindi had completed identification of low-lying areas in collaboration with the district administration, adding trained staff will be deployed at these points with heavy machinery during rains.

Like every year before the monsoon, he said, a training exercise plan had been made with Rescue 1122 and otherorganisations, following which mock exercises will be conducted at Leh Nullah and Rawal Dam.

Apart from this, Wasa Rawalpindi will set up five monsoon camps across the city where staff will be present with heavy machinery 24 hours a day during rains. Moreover, a control room is being established at the Wasa head office from where city-wide monitoring and registration of citizens` complaints will be carried out.

He said last year the target of revenue recovery was Rs1.57 billion, while the recovery made was Rs1.7 billion.

Similarly, he said, the estimate of revenue recovery this year had been kept at Rs2.3 billion.