WASA to Launch PKR 14 Billion High-Tech Sewerage Project in Lahore Using TBM Technology

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Lahore is set to initiate a landmark sewerage upgrade worth over PKR 14 billion, aiming to benefit more than 4 million residents. The project marks a historic step in the city’s infrastructure as it will deploy Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology—used for the first time in Lahore—to install sewer lines with minimal disruption to surface life.

Stretching from Larech Colony to Gulshan-e-Ravi, the sewer network will pass through high-density areas like Gulberg, Dharampura, Shadman, Jorey Pul, Garhi Shahu, and Fatehgarh. According to WASA Managing Director Ghafran Ahmed, the use of TBM technology will revolutionize how infrastructure is developed in urban Pakistan, particularly by offering a trenchless solution to minimize road digging and disturbance.

Alongside TBM, the project incorporates cutting-edge components such as High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) lining, vertical spinning pipe casting, and a modern SCADA system. These features are designed to enhance the lifespan and efficiency of the sewer system, with HDPE pipes expected to last up to 100 years due to their corrosion-resistant properties.

Replacing outdated, pre-partition pipelines, this upgraded system will significantly reduce long-term maintenance costs and improve sanitation services for Lahore’s rapidly growing population. Backed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the initiative is also being hailed as a model for future sewerage developments across Pakistan.

WASA officials underscored the sustainability and economic advantages of the project, which is expected to modernize the city’s sanitation infrastructure while minimizing construction time and public inconvenience.