{
  "id": 12082508,
  "title": "Paucity of funds slowing down Gujrat drainage schemes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/paucity-of-funds-slowing-down-gujrat-drainage-schemes",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T05:34:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2034808/paucity-of-funds-slowing-down-gujrat-drainage-schemes"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gujrat city's ongoing drainage and sewerage schemes are experiencing delays due to insufficient funding, raising concerns over the safety of residents, Dawn has learned. The Gujrat Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and the irrigation department had requested Rs3.71 billion for the fiscal year, but only Rs1.9 billion has been granted by the Punjab government, according to official sources. The deadline for completing the projects is set for Dec 2026, yet the limited allocation of funds may prevent timely completion. It is estimated that at least Rs3.46 billion is needed to launch new drainage schemes to protect Gujrat's urban and suburban populations. However, none of these funds have been allocated yet. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz unveiled an uplift package in September 2025 to address Gujrat's chronic sewerage and drainage issues, leading to the approval of Rs17 billion worth of schemes under the Punjab Development Programme (PDP) in October 2025. These projects are divided into two zones, A and B, and were supposed to be executed by Wasa and the irrigation department. However, only 20 percent progress has been made in the past 10 months, with financial constraints stalling the projects further. To complete the ongoing and new critical schemes, a total of Rs7.18 billion is required. Otherwise, these projects could not be finished within the next five years. Wasa has also planned new schemes to tackle flooding in areas such as District Courts, Ghareebpura, New Model Town, Lalazaar, Mehmda, Jattuwakal and neighboring localities. These plans were discussed at a meeting with Gujrat Deputy Commissioner Nurulain Qureshi, who recommended releasing the necessary funds.",
  "summary": "GUJRAT: The slow trickle of funds for the ongoing drainage and sewerage schemes in Gujrat city can delay the projects and also jeopardise the safety of residents, Dawn has learnt. The Gujrat water and sanitation agency (Wasa) and the irrigation department had sought Rs3.71 billion in the current fiscal year for the completion of ongoing schemes in the city. However, a total of Rs1.9 billion had…",
  "key_points": [
    "Gujrat drainage schemes delayed due to insufficient funding.",
    "Punjab government granted only 51% of requested Rs3.71 billion.",
    "Rs7.18 billion needed to complete projects by Dec 2026."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Insufficient funding for drainage and sewerage schemes in Gujrat city may put residents' safety at risk and likely delay project completion beyond the December 2026 deadline.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}