Lahore has launched a major project to tackle rainwater problems during the monsoon season, officials said on Thursday.

Provincial Housing Minister Bilal Yasin inaugurated the construction of an underground rainwater storage tank near Lakshmi Chowk.

Ghufran Ahmad, Managing Director of WASA Lahore, said the rainwater management and modern drainage system project has started on Nisbet Road, with a total cost of 525.8 million rupees and an estimated completion period of 12 months.

Officials said the tank will include a groundwater recharge system aimed at improving underground water levels.

They added that the project’s completion is expected to help reduce waterlogging on the road and surrounding areas during the monsoon.

Yasin said several underground water tanks have already been completed and are operational in different parts of Lahore, and similar construction work is underway in other districts of Punjab to ensure timely drainage from low-lying areas.