THIS refers to my earlier letter ‘Massive capital mess’ (Aug 5, 2021) about the outrage against illegal constructions over nullahs in Islamabad’s Sector E-11, resulting in unprecedented urban flooding during the monsoon season, which claimed precious lives and swept away many cars and trees.

However, instead of being vigilant and enforcing the relevant bylaws, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) conveniently passed the buck on to the private housing societies, saying they had carried out unauthorised construction without obtaining the required no-objection certificate (NOC).

Interestingly, the same authority issued an NOC to a fancy mall that has built a roofed parking area over the nullah. That roof is used for the installation of diesel generators, air-conditioning plants, etc.

As I mentioned in the earlier letter, this is an ecological disaster in the making, exposing the area to serious hazards, like urban flooding, spread of deadly diseases and generation of toxic gases, as the nullah, which was never cleaned even when it was open, can no more be approached even when necessary.

I was not spreading doom when I said this. Two recent drain-related explosions in Karachi — one in December and the other in January — have vindicated my stance.

In one of those explosions, which occurred due to the accumulation of gases in a nullah over which an illegal plaza had been constructed, more than 15 people were killed and many shops were razed to the ground.

The authorities concerned should wake up and take necessary measures immediately before anything untoward happens in Islamabad. The gross violation of the capital’s master plan should be revised and the nullah/green-belt should be restored in its original form to avert a disaster like E-11 in Islamabad or Shershah in Karachi.

Fuad Enver
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2022