MIANWALI:A contractor was booked on the orders of the deputy commissioner for carrying out substandard work in violation of the prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Reports said Deputy Commissioner Shahid Abbas Khattia paid a surprise visit to various flood-affected areas of the district to review ongoing relief and drainage operations.
Acting on the directions of the Punjab government, he inspected rainwater drainage arrangements in Mohallah Qadirabad, located on the outskirts of Mianwali city near the Chashma pond area. During the visit, he reviewed the dewatering process in low-lying localities and at the water storage tank, and assessed the progress of rainwater disposal.
The deputy commissioner expressed displeasure after finding substandard construction work on manholes, including uncovered openings, in violation of the approved SOPs. He immediately ordered the registration of an FIR against the contractor responsible for the work.
Mr Khattia directed the relevant offi-cials to expedite drainage operations and take all possible measures to provide maximum relief to residents. He stressed that all dewatering work must strictly comply with the prescribed SOPs, with proper safety measures in place, and that only standard-quality materials should be used for the construction of temporary protective embankments.
Later, the deputy commissioner visited the water storage tank, where rainwater is being diverted through a drainage channel. Officials informed him that the facility has been operating continuously since the beginning of the second spell of monsoon rains.
The collected water is being pumped into a nearby drain, which ultimately discharges into the Chashma pond through a functional pumping station, helping reduce flooding in surrounding residential areas.
The deputy commissioner directed the authorities to keep the pumping station operationalround the clock untilall accumulated rainwater is drained. He said the district administration would continue to monitor the situation closely and ensure timely measures to minimise inconvenience to the public.