LAHORE: The Punjab government, keeping in view the deteriorating rainwater drainage situation in the provincial metropolis, has assigned the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) the task to look after drainage at the Kalma Chowk, taking it from the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA) while it is likely to ask Wasa to also deal with the drainage issues at Capt Mobeen Shaheed Underpass, Harbanspura Underpass and Walton Road — the areas facing massive flooding in the ongoing rains, Dawn has learnt.

On the other hand, a fact-finding committee probing urban flooding in Lahore in torrential rains has almost reached a consensus that the delay in timely drainage of the accumulated rainwater, failure to resolve the issues quickly under a professional approach and other technical and administrative issues rendered the Punjab capital topsy-turvy in the heavy rainfall.

Though a report is currently under compilation, those engaged in finalising it are of the view that the departments carrying out various infrastructure-related projects in Punjab, especially in Lahore, must consult the official and independent consultants in the future while dealing with the sewerage/drainage-related affairs.

“We have visited the sites and by end of this week, we will submit our fact-finding report assigned by Chief Minister Moshin Naqvi to the authorities concerned,” one of the senior officials engaged in the inquiry told Dawn.

Body probes urban flooding, identifying issues

“We have noted that wherever Wasa had made rainwater harvesting tanks, especially on Kashmir Road and Lawrence Road, there was no accumulation of rainwater.”

The officer said the inquiry team identified four crucial spots where the rainwater accumulated in huge quantity, namely Captain Mobeen Shaheed Underpass, completed by the LDA, Harbanspura Underpass, completed by the Lahore Ring Road Authority, Kalma Chowk Remodeling Project of the PCBDDA and the Walton Road being maintained by the Walton Cantonment Board.

To a question, the official said the team is also inquiring into appearance of a sinkhole at Khayaban-i-Firdausi recently. For this, the committee is looking into the compaction of the road, material, asphalt work required as per specifications, entrance of water that eroded surface leading to sinkhole. “But we are not here to hold the officials responsible for it as we are only doing a fact-finding exercise. The government will fix the responsibility.”

To another question, he said the government had declared it mandatory for all departments to get the sewerage design in any road project approved by Wasa and without Wasa’s approval, the departments would not be allowed to start the project.

He said the inquiry team is also looking into the reasons behind major collapse of a service lane where a plaza is under-construction along Gulberg’s Main Boulevard.

“We have received statements of all concerned, including the LDA, PCBDDA, Lahore Ring Road Authority (LRRA), plazas’ owners and LDA chief town planner,” he explained.

He said that Wasa, unofficially, provided support to the LDA in draining out rainwater from Mobeen Shaheed Underpass in Gulberg/Cantt area near Gurumangat Road and Sui Gas regional office.

It may be mentioned that the government, some days ago, constituted a fact-finding committee to probe the rainwater accumulation and urban flooding in the city.

The committee members included Syed Zahid Aziz (managing director of the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company and the CEO of the Punjab Aab-e-Pak Authority (PAPA), Khawar Zaman (chief engineer South) Highways, Communication & Works Department and Souman Khalid (Deputy Secretary Technical), Housing Department.

On the other hand, Lahore Commissioner/LDA DG Muhammad Ali Randhawa visited the Ravi river and reviewed the situation of its flow.

Accompanied by officers of the Pakistan Army, District Administration Lahore and Sheikhupura, Rescue 1122, Wasa, irrigation and other departments, he received a briefing from the departments.

“The encroachments under the bridges of the Ravi must be removed immediately,” he said. He was also told a preliminary warning had been issued by the PDMA regarding the expected flood in the river. He was also told that 14,000 cusecs of water was flowing in the river and at present there was a normal flow below the bridges.

“All necessary preparations and resources should be ensured before the flood or any emergency,” he said, adding that Rescue 1122 and MCL must carry out stock checking of all emergency supplies. Moreover an evacuation plan should also be ready,” he sought.

LWMC: The Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) on Thursday launched a periodical community awareness programme in various parts of the city, appointing 50 social mobilisers to head the teams meant for educating the people on maintaining cleanliness in their areas.

A spokesman said more than 300 shopkeepers had been engaged and sensitised on proper disposal of waste, especially during the monsoon.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2023