Managements Of Housing Societies To Go Jail Over Uncovered Manholes: Commissioner

Published July 20, 2026 | 06:30 PM

FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jul, 2026) Commissioner Imran Hamid Sheikh has issued a stern warning to private housing societies across the division and said that the managements failing to ensure 100 percent covering of manholes during the monsoon season would face strict legal action including imprisonment.

Chairing a meeting to review monsoon preparedness, he directed all private housing societies to nominate a focal person within three days.

Not only the management of the concerned housing society would be held accountable, but officer of the department that had issued its No Objection Certificate (NOC) would also face departmental proceedings if any uncovered manhole was found during inspections after the deadline, he warned.

Reviewing monsoon preparedness of Water & Sanitation Agency (WASA) and Irrigation Department, the divisional commissioner instructed WASA to keep dewatering machinery and operational staff deployed in low-lying areas throughout the rainy season to ensure prompt drainage of rainwater.

He also directed WASA to identify localities lacking proper sewerage infrastructure and prepare a comprehensive monsoon preparedness checklist to strengthen emergency response and improve coordination among the relevant departments.

He emphasized that whenever rainfall was forecast, WASA teams must be visibly present in the field, particularly in vulnerable and flood-prone localities to ensure immediate action against water accumulation.

He further instructed WASA to identify industries discharging wastewater into the drainage system during monsoon rains so that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could take action including the shutdown of industrial units responsible for sewer overflows and environmental hazards.

During meeting, officials of Irrigation Department briefed participants about flood control arrangements.

The commissioner directed the department to ensure effective protection and continuous monitoring of river embankments to minimize flood risks during the ongoing monsoon season.

Additional Commissioner Coordination Tanveer Murtaza, Managing Director WASA Saqib Raza and senior officers of Irrigation Department also attended the meeting.