GAM media tour showcases measures against inclement weather

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) on Saturday held a field tour for journalists from various media outlets to showcase its preparations for the upcoming winter. 

The tour focused on water drainage infrastructure and the cleaning of tunnel and box culverts, according to a GAM statement sent to The Jordan Times on Sunday. 

City Director Ahmad Malkawi accompanied the journalists to the main culvert in downtown Amman’s Saqf Al Sail area, which extends to Al Mahatta area, noting that it is undergoing maintenance. 

The environment directorate at GAM has completed the cleaning of the culvert, which will remain under supervision to prevent flooding and soil erosion in surrounding areas, as the whole area is very low, the statement said.

It added that the culverts are cleaned regularly to remove debris and dirt. 

Malkawi said that technical studies have been conducted with the aim of enhancing the culverts with new manholes that increase their capacity to absorb surface water, noting that during 2018 and 2019, JD11 million were allocated to implement the tunnel and box culvert tenders. 

He added that GAM is working on installing rainfall drainage manholes on the Saqf Al Sail culvert's surface, which will be attached using best practices based on the conducted studies. 

The tour focused on various streets in Amman that have been revamped and reopened with new sidewalks, lighting and rainwater drainage pipes. 

The Kheir Al Deen Almaani Street's reconstruction cost JD1.5 million, the statement said, adding that work done from the Cozmo culvert location up to the Haram Bin Qutbah and Ziad Alzakarneh streets was completed in two stages: The first cost JD800,000 and the second will be completed by the end of November at a cost of JD1.4 million. 

GAM is also constructing a 110-metre long box culvert at Wadi Al Tai (Khaled Bin Zaid Street) across from Khalil Al Rahman Mosque, the statement said, adding that the tender for it will be floated in the upcoming two weeks at a cost of JD2.6 million, covering the tunnel and box culverts meant to resolve Al Tai valley's problems. 

GAM said that the success of the emergency executive plan for this winter requires the combined efforts of GAM, citizens and public institutions to resolve issues that hinder the flow of water to drainage manholes, especially when people cover the rainwater drainage manholes with cardboard and carpets, according to the statement. 

The municipality again urged merchants and contractors to take preventive measures before the beginning of the season that prevent flooding of manholes, especially to avoid littering, causing closures in water drainage pipes. 

GAM urged the public to contact its emergency lines 065359970/065359971 to voice their concerns and complaints during the season, the statement added.