Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Monday directed the local Bodies Department to ensure coverage of all towns of Punjab with ultramodern sewerage system besides installation of sewerage treatment plants (STPs) by February 15.
Sukhbir, reviewing the status of ongoing sewerage projects in a high level meeting, asked the senior officers to expedite the work of installation of STPs and potable water supply system in all 163 towns along with 60 nagar panchayats.
He directed the officers of local bodies and water supply and sewerage board to complete the task before February 15 next. Sukhbir also emphasised that Punjab Engineering College would be the independent agency for independent quality control for works being executed.
“An external agency would audit independent quality control for works being executed under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) while Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) would be technical quality control agency for PIDB funded schemes,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister said that Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) would be overall executing agency and Technical Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister would lead the team of officers. He also directed officers of PWSSB to regularly visit in the field to inspect the quality of works.
PWSSB officers apprised Sukhbir that water supply works were already in full swung in 69 towns, sewerage works in 47 towns and STPs in 61 out of which in 35 towns it was on war level while in 26 it would initiate very soon. They informed that in 15 towns, sewerage and STPs were already completed.
Sukhbir also asked to use ultramodern techniques in cleaning of sewerages in the cities. He directed all Deputy Commissioners to submit the status report of land acquisition process for STPs within two days.
“DCs would be overall in-charges to monitor all sewerage projects. They should check quality of work as well as treated water and bi-monthly reports in this regard to be submitted,” he added.