December 07, 2006	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 15, 1427

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MURREE, Dec 6: Illegal construction activity in this hill station has increased the ever-present danger of landslides in the wake of rains manifold. Some eight illegally constructed highrise buildings face the threat of coming down after this week’s heavy rains eroded the earth below them near the Government High School on Jhekka Gali Road.

One storey of an 11-storey apartments was partly demolished during the operation against illegally constructed buildings two weeks back.

A septic tank dug by the owners of the multi-storey apartments, behind the Governments Primary School on the land of the Tehsil Municipal Administration of Murree is also posing the danger of landslide.

Former Chairman Municipal Committee Murree Shaukat Haroon Abbasi, told Dawn that the septic tank was a threat to the Government High School and the Primary School.

Many nearby houses are also in danger, he said.

Earth was also seen slipping at one place on the Upper Jhekka Gali Road where a huge ditch dug for erecting a new building at the site of a demolished one. The project was halted after public protests but the recent rains filled the ditch with water which has loosened the earth there.

If it triggers a landslide, sensitive installations like the radar of Pakistan Air Force, TV Booster, and a water tank located above it would be in danger.

TMA authorities connected the earth digging in an area where construction was banned to the laying of gas pipeline in the city but dumping of iron bars and other constructional material seem to belie the explanation.