Rain, rain expose govt performance

Rain has exposed bad performance of state machinery in Punjab; it has paralysed the public life at large

Rain, rain and rain has exposed the bad performance of state machinery in Punjab. It has paralysed the public life at large. All main arteries of Lahore: Ferozpur Road, Jail Road and The Mall resembled a river with no embankments. In the past, poor localities and slum areas often bore the brunt of rain-induced misery, starting from damage to houses, roof collapse, and unrest owing to accumulation of rainwater. This time, posh localities like Model Town, Muslim Town, Johar Town, Canal View and Gulberg also had to face the nature’s fury. Rain spell started on Wednesday which turned all elite and slum localities into ponds of water, leaving roads inundated, footpaths submerged and green belts vanished. Hundreds of motorists and bike riders were seen stranded in the midst of rainwater as their ignition switches stopped working. The chief minister, provincial ministers and chief secretary visited submerged areas for a photo session as they do not pass up any opportunity of media promotion.

Being a resident of this historical city, I always face awkwardness during rain. It may provide a chance to kids of poor families to enjoy bath but the rainfall has badly exposed strategy and urban planning of government in handling this natural havoc. Every year, the government issued dozen of press releases and statements that arrangements have been finalized to handle situation likely arising from rainfall. But when the skies open up, the civic machinery is left struggling.

According to my knowledge, the existing sewage system in the city has no capacity to even cater to disposal of sewage water produced in dry weather. It was not installed under a comprehensive urban planning. There was no separate drainage system for rains despite the fact Lahore received heavy rains during monsoons. But my grouse is that the Punjab government had allocated and spent over Rs1,000 billion on development schemes in annual development programe during its five-year rule. If such a big amount was fairly utilised why rain paralyzed life, submerged roads and caused houses to collapse? The heavy rains exposed urban planning of city despite the fact city government had an army of urban planners in addition to a brigade of civil engineers in Lahore Development Authority. Corruption in ADP utilisation is another question that needs to be answered. If such practices continue, who will save the general public from such natural calamities? Political slogans alone will not save the rulers’ skins.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2014.