WCLA declares old water reservoir a heritage site

No repair work on premises of pond is allowed


BILAL GHAURI October 04, 2019
Representational Image (PHOTO: AFP)

LAHORE: The Walled City Lahore Authority (WCLA) has declared an old water reservoir, built in 1883, as a heritage site.

The authority had written a letter to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) last week, saying that the ancient water pond, which supplied to the walled city, should be declared a heritage property. Now, the authority will not allow any repair work on the premises of the water pond.

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The ancient water pond was inaugurated by Charles Umpherston Aitchison with an aim to supply water to the inner city of Lahore. There are four water tanks installed with a capacity of 250,000 gallons each, and 10,00,000 gallons in general, supplying water to intercity Lahore till date. With the cooperation of Japan, more than one tube wells were installed to provide water supply to the entire city.

The WCLA has declared the ancient water pond a heritage site because it is the tallest place in the city.

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Therefore, it was chosen to supply water to the entire city. A pumping station was set up in Badami Bagh area, which used to supply water from Badami Bagh to this pond first and then the pond supplied the water to the inner city. The water tanks filled with water to cater to the entire city of Lahore.

According to the WLCA official, heritage will be preserved for future generations who should understand it’s significance and the purpose of its construction over a century ago.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2019.

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