Rain exposes need for civic reorganisation in Lahore

Instead of unified authority, multiple depts responsible for metropolis

LAHORE:

Amid deficiencies in implementation of the provincial capital's master plan and coordination among development agencies, water accumulated during eight hours of rain could not be drained in more than 18 hours from several localities of the city.

Settlements near the Ravi river were still submerged on Saturday.

Instead of a single authority to manage the city with a population of over 12 million, several departments have been assigned responsibilities in this regard. During rains and other emergencies, it is observed that the departments attempt to shift the responsibilities to each other.

The city areas are being controlled by about a dozen departments, including the railways, metropolitan corporation, cantonment boards, Lahore Development Authority, department of communications and works, department of housing, and cooperative housing societies which are looking after development works, building plans, sewerage and water supply schemes on their own.

Most of Lahore’s sewerage and water supply system is run by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA). Its responsibilities include providing clean water to the citizens as well as managing the supply and sewerage system, including drainage of rainwater.

Lahore covers about 1,770 square kilometres and WASA is responsible for 1,100 square kilometres of the area as per a classification of departmental powers and boundaries made in 2008. The Master Plan 2020, whose period is nearing conclusion, has not been implemented in the last 20 years. Illegal housing societies with residential and commercial constructions without planning and permission have badly affected the city planning. Despite a ban in many other areas, including the bed of Ravi river, a large number of unplanned housing societies have been constructed with separate sewage disposal systems which are not linked with WASA.

WASA MD Syed Zahid Aziz said while talking to The Express Tribune that the civic problems would end if there was coordination between all the departments, residential and commercial development was carried out in accordance with the master plan and all the institutions fulfilled their responsibilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2020.