Bahawalpur: Commissioner Bahawalpur Division Irfan Ali Kathia visited the office of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Bahawalpur to review administrative operations, service delivery, and the agency’s preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season.
During the visit, WASA officials briefed the Commissioner on the Monsoon Emergency Plan, drainage arrangements, availability of machinery, preparedness of operational teams, and contingency measures designed to deal with heavy rainfall and urban flooding. Officials informed the Commissioner that all disposal stations, dewatering pumps, heavy machinery, and operational staff have been placed on full alert to ensure the swift drainage of rainwater during the monsoon season.
Special emergency response teams have also been constituted to respond promptly to any emergency situation and minimize inconvenience to the public.
Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia directed WASA to ensure the immediate removal of rainwater from urban areas during rainfall and instructed officials to respond without delay to complaints of water accumulation in low-lying areas or on major roads. He further directed all operational teams to remain on 24-hour alert and ensure the effective implementation of the Monsoon Emergency Plan throughout the rainy season.
The Commissioner also inspected various sections of the WASA office and reviewed administrative procedures, service delivery, record management, and the public complaint redressal mechanism. He instructed the concerned officers to maintain transparency, discipline, and timely decision-making in official affairs to ensure uninterrupted delivery of quality public services. During the visit, Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia met citizens who had visited the WASA office to seek corrections to their utility bills. He listened to their complaints in detail and directed the concerned officials to resolve all billing-related issues on a priority basis. He emphasized that citizens should not be subjected to unnecessary visits to government offices and instructed officials to address billing complaints promptly, fairly, and transparently.
Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia said that the provision of timely, transparent, and high-quality public services is WASA’s foremost responsibility and warned that negligence or administrative lapses would not be tolerated. He further directed the agency to ensure effective planning, advance preparedness, and swift operational response throughout the monsoon season so that citizens receive maximum relief. He stressed that the drainage system must remain fully operational at all times to prevent disruption to daily life caused by heavy rainfall.