The Punjab government has at last decided to regulate construction on river plains to avoid any loss of property and life in the instances of high floods during the monsoon season.
Regulation of unbridled construction on river plains was a long-awaited move, as the high flow of water during flood season endangers much life and property. History is fairly evident of this. The need to regulate this segment of construction was first felt when fierce flood peaks passed the Indus River in 2010, and again in the aftermath of floods in the Chenab and Jhelum Rivers last year, which took a great toll in terms of loss of life and property.
Be that as it may, the Punjab government now plans to ban certain types of construction on river plains without prior permission from the authorities concerned. According to a news source, the approval for construction on river plains will now be given by a committee after ascertaining whether the development will block river-water flow or not. The committee will also seek the purpose of construction and will ensure the construction will not endanger life and property in any unfortunate circumstances.
There will be specific construction codes and even the federal and provincial organisations will have to seek the committee’s written permission to carry out any development projects on the plains.
The authorities concerned will remove the unauthorised constructions and any resistance in this regard will be deemed an offence, with the offenders having to bear heavy fines as well as imprisonment terms.
The construction of buildings will be regulated in flood areas that include river plains, areas of the natural course of lakes, and wetlands that may be inundated in the instances of high water flow and also the specific areas around dams.
I believe we should appreciate this move and should cooperate with the government by avoiding any construction projects in restricted patches around the rivers. Should you have anything further in mind about the topic, please feel free to share your views in the comments section below.
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