WASA seeks report on G.T. road trench incident

WASA seeks report on G.T. road trench incident

LAHORE: The Punjab Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) has taken notice of a viral video showing a motorcyclist and his pillion rider falling into an open trench on G.T. Road near the University of Engineering and Technology (UET).

The excavation had no visible barricades or adequate safety arrangements, raising concerns about public safety on one of Lahore’s busiest roads.

WASA’s Additional Director General (Operations) sought explanations from the Managing Director of WASA Lahore and the Chief Engineer of the Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (TEPA).

The authority described the incident as a serious public safety concern and said an unprotected excavation beside a heavily trafficked road could endanger lives and cause property damage.

The letter also expressed concern over the apparent failure to follow safety protocols that authorities have repeatedly circulated for construction and excavation sites.

WASA has given the concerned departments three days to submit a detailed report on the incident. The report must explain how the incident occurred, why the excavation was carried out, and why barricades and other safety measures were missing.

The departments have also been asked to identify the officers or officials responsible for the site and provide details of safety measures already introduced or planned to prevent similar incidents.

WASA instructed the officials to treat the matter as a top priority. Copies of the letter were also sent to the Secretary of the Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department, Director General Punjab WASA and Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA).

The incident gained public attention after citizens shared the video on Facebook on Saturday. The footage showed the motorcyclist and pillion rider falling into the trench, prompting concerns over the safety of commuters using G.T. Road near UET.

Punjab WASA issued the notice with the approval of its Director General and has sought accountability from the relevant agencies over the safety arrangements at the site.