RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has sought help from the District Revenue Department and the Irrigation Department for the demarcation of the right of way of Soan River so it can start a drive against illegal structures.

RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza told Dawn that the civic body wanted the details of the demarcation of the right of way of Soan River so it can begin action against illegal structures around the river.

She said that after the flood in Soan River last week, there was a dire need to initiate action within the jurisdiction of RDA to avoid flood-like situations in the coming days.She said that a survey would be started after the demarcation, and the civic body would then be able to issue notices to the structures that have been constructed on the right of way of the river.

On the other hand, in 2023, the then commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta had called for the demarcation of the floodplain and the right of way of Soan River, but the work has not yet been started.

The aim was to check diversions in the floodplain of Soan River and to specify the support of field staff to stop construction in no-construction zones in order to preserve the natural floodplain of the river.

Soan River is one of the major water bodies of the Potohar Plateau, passing through the heart of the garrison city and irrigating the Potohar region. The river is of immense importance to the city.

However, in recent times, it has been observed that the floodplains and the right of way of the river are heavily encroached upon, and the water flow obstructed. No construction zone is allowed to protect the natural flow of the river.

Urban flood concerns will become serious due to encroachments and illegal construction activities.

Former commissioner Rawalpindi Division Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry in February 2018, under the Punjab Floodplain Regulations, had directed the departments concernedto identify the right of way of Soan River, Leh Nullah and Korang Nullah.

Former district coordination officer and former commissioner Saqib Zafar, on April 4, 2013, had also imposed a ban on construction along nullahs, drains and rivers, and called for the establishment of forests on the banks of rivers, drains and nullahs.

Under the orders of Saqib Zafar, 105 drains of Rawalpindi district had been identified by the District Land Revenue Department, but no action has been taken so far.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2025