Punjab expands underground water storage network

Punjab’s local government authorities are accelerating efforts to improve urban drainage and water management infrastructure ahead of the monsoon season, with dozens of underground water storage tanks already completed across the province.

Provincial Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique announced that 52 underground water storage tanks have been constructed in 51 cities, while work on an additional 43 tanks is nearing completion. The update was shared during a review meeting of the Punjab Development Programme.

According to the minister, the underground storage tanks are part of a broader strategy to tackle urban flooding and improve rainwater management in major cities. He said the tanks will be connected to newly constructed drainage infrastructure to enhance the efficiency of the system and reduce the impact of heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.

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Officials informed the meeting that construction work is underway on 41 kilometres of new drainage channels, while 13 kilometres of existing drains have already been restored. The minister directed relevant departments to ensure that all underground storage tanks are linked with the new drainage network for effective water flow and storage.

The underground reservoirs are designed to collectively store up to 55 million gallons of water. Authorities believe the project will help reduce water accumulation in urban areas during periods of intense rainfall. Any excess water collected in the tanks will be discharged into connected drainage channels to prevent overflow and flooding.

Zeeshan Rafique also instructed municipal officers to submit reports on the cleaning and maintenance of drainage infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of completing de-silting operations before the arrival of the monsoon season to ensure the drainage system functions effectively.

The initiative is part of the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen urban infrastructure, improve water management, and minimize the risk of flooding in cities across Punjab during seasonal rains.

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