Garbage, debris dumping in Nullah Leh continues despite ban

RAWALPINDI: With the monsoon flood season approaching, silt, garbage and construction material have yet to be cleared from Nullah Leh and 15 storm-water drains in the city, according to the reported details.

Heavy trolleys, trailers and trucks are continuing to dump large quantities of soil, construction debris and garbage into Nullah Leh near Ganjmandi bridge despite a ban imposed under Section 144. The dumping has continued due to negligence and alleged connivance of the authorities and police.

Piles of soil, waste and building material have built up on both sides of the drain, while the width of Nullah Leh has been reduced from an earlier 300 to 350 feet to around 50 feet. The situation has raised fears of serious flooding during the pre-monsoon period and the coming monsoon rains.

The automatic flood warning system installed at Nullah Leh is also not working and has not yet been restored.

Funds sought for desilting work

Under Section 144, dumping construction material, garbage and waste into Nullah Leh and storm-water drains is prohibited. Even so, trolleys carrying debris and city waste are still unloading material near the historic Ganjmandi bridge.

Dozens of trolleys dump garbage, debris and scrap into Nullah Leh and other drains every day near Ganjmandi bridge, Dhoke Ratta, City Saddar Road and Gawalmandi bridge. The same report added that millions of rupees are later sought for the removal of this waste and debris.

This year, a total of Rs150 million has been requested for desilting and cleaning Nullah Leh and 15 storm-water drains. Of that amount, WASA sought Rs80 million for Nullah Leh, while Rs70 million were requested for 15 storm-water drains. The Punjab government was asked to release the funds on an emergency basis, after which announcements were made that desilting would begin on May 1.

However, as of May 15, dumping of soil, construction debris and garbage was still continuing in Nullah Leh near Ganjmandi bridge, next to Ganjmandi police station in the central part of the city.

Residents announce protest

Traders in Ganjmandi market and residents of nearby areas have announced a protest on Friday over the situation.

Shopkeepers and residents Faiz Ahmed, Rashid Khan and Haji Banaras said tons of building material and soil were being dumped into Nullah Leh despite the nearby police station and the legal restrictions in place.

They warned that weak planning, the narrowing of the drain and major encroachments along its banks had created serious flood risks for this year.

They also alleged that despite a court stay order, a double-storey market had been built on government land near Ganjmandi bridge. They further said sewerage lines were also being laid there and in adjoining shops, which, according to them, could lead to another flood disaster and further reduce the width of the drain.