RAWALPINDI: The district administration of Rawalpindi is set to start demarcation of the right of way of the Soan River to remove encroachments ahead of the monsoon season.

A senior official of the district administration told Dawn that the Land Revenue Department had been asked to start demarcation of the right of way of Soan River with the help of the Punjab Irrigation Department to remove encroachments along the river to avoid a flood-like situation in the coming monsoon season.

He said the river’s right of way was 300 to 350 metres, but the illegal units had been constructed on the banks which caused flooding in the local areas in the past. Under the law, he said, no construction could to be done along the river banks and its right of way, and it would only be used for farming purposes. However, he said, all the green areas along the river and seasonal nullahs in Rawalpindi were shrinking due to urban development.

The official further said the ground water level in the garrison city was depleting fast as the water recharge areas along the river were reducing.

Soan River is one of the major water bodies of the Potohar Plateau, passing through the heart of the garrison city and cultivating the region. The river is of immense importance to the city, but during recent times, it has been observed that the plains and right of way of the Soan River are heavily encroached and the water flow is obstructed, said the official.

He said the district administration had taken serious notice of the alarming situation of the right of way of the river and said it would be identified so that encroachment and constructions without permission would be dealt with accordingly. He said the no-construction zone had been established to protect the natural flow of the river.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said that he had directed a survey of the area along the Soan River to remove the encroachments. He said they would start surveying the area soon and their basic concern was to save the people’s lives.

“Due to the negligence of those who constructed illegal structures, many people have lost their lives, and it is not acceptable for the Punjab government,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2024