Staff Reporter
Peshawar
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has directed the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department to initiate action against all illegal and unregistered water connections throughout the province and ensure legalization and registration of all water connection within the next two months.
The Chief Minister has also directed the PHE department to undertake measures in those areas of District Karak where the water has been contaminated due to radioactive ores which is causing serious health hazards for the local population. He stated that complete study into the issue should be conducted and all relevant stakeholders should be consulted to come up with a solution.
He stated that developmental schemes for water supply will be included in the next ADP for those areas currently facing water shortages so that provision of clean drinking water may be ensured in all areas of the province.
While chairing a review meeting of public Health engineering department, Special Assistant to CM on PHE Riaz Khan informed the Chief Minister that 72589 illegal water connections have been identified out of which 4930 has been regularized whereas a target of Rs.218 million, under water charges recovery, will be achieved during the current financial year.
He further told that the draft of provincial sanitation policy has been prepared which will be presented in the cabinet soon.
Similarly, Provincial Drinking Water Policy 2015 is currently being updated whereas the work on Integrated Water Resources Management Strategy is also underway. He further informed the Chief Minister that the Public Health Engineering department is working for introducing a new system under which replacement of damaged pumping machinery in water supply schemes will be replace within 24 hours time. The service will be part of all future contracts. Similarly, water connection will be included in the PC-1 so as to avoid haphazard water connections by consumers.
