Collapse of iconic hotel stirs K-P to action

Smarting from the terrible collapse of an iconic hotel in scenic Swat valley and multiple structures built on riverbanks during the 2022 floods, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government appears to have gotten its act together.

K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has ordered a complete ban on all constructions on riverbanks, irrigation canals and other waterways in the province along with launching of an effective crackdown against existing encroachments.

The chief minister has made it clear that no political pressure or any other interference would be accepted in this regard.

Chairing a meeting about the anti-encroachment drive in the province on Wednesday, the chief minister ordered section 144 against the construction of new houses, hotels and all other commercial and noncommercial infrastructure alongside waterways including River Swat, River Panjkora, River Kunhar and canals of the irrigation department across the province.

He made it clear that there should be no leniency regarding encroachments, adding that all the stakeholders would have to fulfill their responsibilities for the purpose and, in the future, no department will issue NOC for construction or establishment of new infrastructure near waterways.

The chief minister said that illegal encroachments have resulted in negative impact on the economy and the loss of precious human lives and property during the 2010 and recent floods. Therefore, there is no room for negligence or delay in taking action against these encroachments.

The chief minister also directed the irrigation department to initiate work on identifying, demarking flood-prone sites in the province and said that ignorance of people regarding the issue does not debar government agencies and departments from their duties and responsibilities.

The relevant rules and regulations need to be implemented in letter and spirit to stop illegal encroachments, the chief minister remarked and said that no construction either by the private or government sector shall be allowed in the future.

He also directed shortterm, mid-term and longterm planning to completely eliminate encroachments, especially alongside rivers in Hazara and Malakand Division.

On this occasion, the chief minister also ordered speeding up work on the markings for identifying high flood waterways and involving relevant stakeholders and experts in order to have a complete and comprehensive study to this effect.

He emphasized the need for construction of small dams to reduce risk of flood damage under long-term planning and directed the authorities concerned to submit appropriate proposals in this behalf.

Briefing on the meeting about the steps taken under the anti-encroachment drive, it was revealed that so far, 100 encroachments along River Swat have been removed in five different operations in Kalam, Madyan, Bahrain, Fiza Ghat and Mingora.

Besides, hotels and boundary walls re-constructed within the demarcated flood plain of Kalam Bazar have also been demolished.

The meeting was informed that site data of new, old and re-constructed encroachment spots is regularly collected by the irrigation department and submitted to the local administration.