WASA’s nod mandatory for high-rises, transfer of plots

Unchecked constructions, commercialisation taking toll on city: officials

RAWALPINDI:

Rawalpindi district administration has asked the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) and district council to stop approval of building plans for high-rise commercial buildings, transfer of plots, and commercialisation of residential plots without obtaining NOCs from the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA).

In a meeting chaired by Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema, the practice of constructing commercial buildings without consultation with WASA was taken up by the stakeholders. Officials of the agency told that the practice was putting an extra burden on the water supply and sewerage network of the garrison city, creating problems for citizens.

Sources said it was also revealed that the practice has been going on for a long time now and the RMC and district council were responsible for it. WASA officials said the practice must be stopped immediately.

It was also revealed in the meeting that the Rawalpindi Development Authority director general had previously written a letter to the senior officers of RMC and the district council, emphasising the importance of obtaining NOC and paying dues to WASA.

In the letter, he directed them not to approve building plans, transfer of plots or change the status of plots without obtaining NOCs in the future, particularly on GT Road, Adiala Road, Chara Road, Circular Road, Fourth Road, Fourth B Road, Fifth Road, and Sixth Road.

The letter also requested the RMC and district council to provide WASA with a complete report on commercial constructions on these roads over the past years.

An inspection conducted by WASA in 1998 revealed that large-scale commercial construction and conversion of residential land use to commercial land use took place without obtaining NOC.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2023.