Drain encroachments draw court's wrath

Senior Civil Judge Rawalpindi has taken serious notice of illegal plazas and buildings being constructed over rainwater drains, which cause severe flooding during the annual monsoon season.

Notices have been issued to the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner, the Chief Officer of the Municipal Corporation, the Encroachment Inspector, and those responsible for the construction, namely Ikram and Farooq, directing them to appear before the court with written replies.

The court has also sought official status records and ownership measurements of the city's largest and most hazardous rainwater drain located on Railway Workshop Road.

The court has questioned who authorised the construction on these drains, why such construction was permitted, and how building plans were approved. The case was filed by petitioner Salawar Khan, who informed the court that a century-old major rainwater drain in Union Council No. 3, Hazara Colony, Railway Workshop Road, causes widespread devastation every monsoon.

According to the petition, the drain—originally 12 feet wide and 10 feet deep—has been reduced to a depth of only three feet due to neglect. Construction of a new plaza has reportedly commenced on the drain near Ratta Bridge.