IN recent times, illegal constructions over nullahs in sector E-11 of Islamabad have come under heavy criticism, but no one in a position of authority did anything about it. This lack of action resulted in the unprecedented urban flooding which recently swept away a number of cars and claimed precious lives.

Instead of being vigilant and enforcing the by-laws, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has conveniently put the blame on private housing societies that had carried out unauthorised constructions without obtaining the required CDA no-objection certificate (NOC).

Has any authority ever noticed that in the very heart of Islamabad, in the posh sector of F-7, all trees in the nullah flowing next to a fancy mall on College Road had been chopped down several years ago to build a roofed parking area over the nullah? That roof is used for the installation of diesel generators, air-conditioning plants, etc.

Regretfully, instead of discouraging such an activity, the CDA officials issued an NOC to those behind the whole nefarious activity.

This is an ecological disaster exposing the area to serious hazards, like urban flooding, spread of deadly diseases and generation of toxic gases, to name a few, as the nullah, which was never cleaned even when it was open, can no more be approached even when necessary.

The authorities concerned should immediately take necessary action in this regard to reverse this gross violation of the national capital’s master plan and to restore the nullah/green-belt in its original form to avert an E-11-like disaster.

Fuad Enver
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2021