LAHORE, Feb 6: The Water and Sanitation Agency of Lahore Development Authority will build a storm water disposal drain around the historic Shalamar Gardens by the end of June this year.

A Wasa deputy director gave an assurance to this effect to the Punjab Environment Tribunal comprising Syed Zamir Husain Shah and Mansoor Akbar Kaukab during the hearing of Jehanzaib Nazir Malik’s complaint here on Monday.

The Wasa official first expressed inability to build the storm water disposal drain on the pretext of non-availability of funds, but agreed to get the job done on being assured of provision of necessary funds by Punjab Archaeology Department director-general Orya Maqbul Jan.

The director-general pointed out that the storm water from the adjoining localities entered the Shalimar Gardens during the rainy season because its bed was four-and-a-half feet lower. Construction of the drain could also check encroachments along the boundary wall of the gardens.

He said that funds for the purpose were no problem as the archaeology department had received Rs300 million from the government for the conservation of the monument. He said that he would also guide Wasa in designing the storm water disposal system.

Complainant’s counsel Mian Zafar Iqbal Kalanauri and Imran Ahmed Bhatti submitted that the CDG’s solid waste management was parking 70 to 80 trucks near the gardens. The tribunal directed SWM district officer Muhammad Rafiq Jatoi to appear in person on the next date of hearing and submit his plan for shifting the parking of garbage trucks to some other place.

The Transport Department representative submitted that a ban had been imposed on motorcycle rickshaws on GT Road on which the Shalimar Gardens were situated to reduce smoke and noise pollution. Two-stroke rickshaws were also to be phased out gradually to control the environmental pollution.

The Traffic police representative submitted that nobody had ever complained about encroachments around the Shalimar Gardens. The Archeology DG pointed out that the police could take a suo moto action. The department would, however, send a formal complaint to police for the purpose.

The tribunal took a serious view of failure of the Shalimar Town municipal officer to appear despite receipt of notices and decided to give him the last opportunity for the purpose. Warrants would be issued for securing his presence in case he did not appear on the next date of hearing.