LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday directed the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to close down car service stations working without water recycling system in the city.

The court observed that twomonth deadline had been given to the service stations for the installation of the recycling system that stood expired.

Justice Ali Akbar Qureshi directed the Wasa and LDA headsto immediately start monitoring of the service stations and close them down if found working without the water recycling system.

The judge also directed the heads of both authorities to ensure early availability of tunnel mechanism in mosques to recycle clean water used for ablution. He observed that all available resources would be utilised to save clean water.

Hearing was adjourned till Dec 3.

A lawyer had filed a petition for the preservation of clean water used for washing cars at service stations and the roads by the Parksand Horticulture Authority (PHA). He contended that the PHA washed all city main roads and watered plants with clean water while vehicles were also washed at service stations with clean water.

He said the huge quantity of clean water being wasted by the government and private persons could be recycled if steps were taken to save it. He said canal water could be used for watering plants and green belts instead of the clean water.

In this case, the court had already directed the PHA to use canal water for watering plants andgreenbelts.

Hearing another matter, the judge sought a reply from the federal government on a suggestion to show location of the persons calling police emergency helpline 15.

The petitioner contended that the Punjab Safe City Authority had already endorsed his suggestion, however, it required an approval from the government.

He said rushing to the caller would become easier for the police if the system showed location of the call made to the emergency helpline.

The judge sought a reply from the government within 10 days.