Happenings on the Ravi banks

LAHORE:

The Lahore Development Authority has plans for developing a residential community on both sides of the Ravi River at a 33 kilometre stretch, Project Director (urban unit) Nasir Javed told The Express Tribune.

The proposal was first presented to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on June 22. The cost of the project is estimated at a staggering $7 billion (Rs179.4 billion). LDA officials say revenue from the project plans through sale and lease of land is estimated at Rs202.6 billion. The plans include residencial and commercial areas schools and cultural and recreational facilities. The Ravi-BRB siphon forms the north-eastern boundary of the project area and Sundar the south-western end.

The project area includes parts of the Sheikhupura district. The project will include vast green zones to provide “breathing space for Lahore, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala.” The project will require a major clean-up of the vastly polluted Ravi, including waste water and sewerage treatment according to the National Environmental Quality standards. Hydraulic studies on site development, facilities, infrastructure, expansion and water availability and options for additional inflow of 1,800 cusecs into the Ravi every day will be carried soon.

Flood containment areas will also be developed to provide for historic flood levels.

Several international consultants have been short listed to conduct feasibility studies. Of these, seven will be finally engaged for the project.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2014.