Risky buildings in Walled City surveyed

Amid growing risk of structural failures during the ongoing monsoon season — and following recent deadly building collapses in Sindh that claimed dozens of lives — authorities in Punjab have launched a comprehensive survey to identify and secure dangerous buildings within the historic Walled City of Lahore.

The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) launched the effort as part of its annual monsoon campaign, but this year's operation carries heightened urgency. Persistent rains, coupled with aging infrastructure and urban encroachments, have increased the risk of structural failure across the provincial capital. In a parallel measure, the Lahore district administration recently sealed nearly two dozen unsafe buildings citywide due to stability concerns.

Directed by WCLA Director General Maleeha Rashid, the authority's inspection teams have begun detailed assessments of buildings across Androon Lahore — where many properties, some dating back centuries, now show signs of severe neglect, unauthorised alterations, and structural fatigue.

"The cultural heritage of Androon Lahore is not just a reflection of our past ... it is a living legacy that defines our national identity," Rashid said in a statement. "Preserving it is not merely a responsibility, but a commitment to future generations."

To conduct the survey, the WCLA is using a hybrid approach that blends on-ground physical inspections with digital mapping tools. This allows officials to efficiently assess structural vulnerabilities and flag buildings at immediate risk of collapse. Timely identification, authorities say, is key to averting preventable damage and loss of life.

In support of the initiative, the WCLA has also established a monitoring committee to enforce compliance with heritage and construction regulations. The team — comprising Deputy Director Nosheen Zaidi, resettlement expert Ali Islam Gill, and Deputy Director Ahmad Usman Diwan — has been tasked with cracking down on illegal construction, unauthorised demolitions, unapproved basement excavations, and other violations within protected zones.

Once hazardous structures are identified, the authority plans to pursue site-specific strategies—ranging from targeted rehabilitation and restoration to, when necessary, controlled demolition. The survey findings will serve as the basis for these interventions and future planning.

According to WCLA figures from 2024, nearly 1,300 buildings in the Walled City were identified as needing significant repair, with 400 listed for demolition and at least 20 classified as extremely dangerous. Despite notices and warnings, many of these privately owned buildings remain occupied due to a lack of resources, relocation options, or public awareness.

The threat extends beyond the boundaries of the Walled City. A recent district-level survey highlighted 96 dangerously dilapidated buildings across Lahore, with the Data Ganj Bakhsh Zone accounting for 42 of them. High-density areas such as Fleming Road, Ravi Road, Mochi Gate, and Garhi Shahu are particularly at risk. In some cases, only partial demolitions have occurred, leaving unstable portions still inhabited.

While authorities continue to issue evacuation notices, many residents remain in place, citing financial constraints and the absence of formal resettlement programmes. Officials warn that with above-average rainfall forecast for the current season, delays in action could prove catastrophic.

The mounting risks reinforce the significance of WCLA's ongoing efforts — not just as a conservation initiative, but as a critical public safety operation. Experts caution that without urgent, coordinated government support and timely restoration, Lahore faces the dual threat of human tragedy and irreversible cultural loss.