Flood-Prone Areas Along Ravi River Raise Concerns Over Housing Schemes
Lahore: Recent floods along the River Ravi have exposed serious issues in housing schemes built in flood-prone zones. Experts and residents point to weak enforcement of rules, lack of infrastructure, and gaps in the approval process by different authorities as major causes of the damage.
The Punjab Irrigation Department had already declared these areas “prone to floods,” but housing projects continued to grow. As a result, many residents have faced huge financial losses after floodwater entered homes and businesses.
Rules and Approval Issues
Authorities such as the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs) follow the Private Housing Scheme Rules, which clearly state that land in flood-prone areas cannot be approved for development.
However, the Ravi Urban Development Authority (Ruda), created in 2020 to manage 132,000 acres along a 46km stretch of the Ravi, follows its own rules. Critics argue that approvals were granted without proper checks or no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the irrigation department.
Experts’ Opinions
Officials and urban planners believe that if Ruda had prioritized river training works, embankments, and protective infrastructure before giving housing approvals, the recent damage could have been avoided.
Environmental experts also stress that river routes should never be blocked for urban development. Floods, even if rare, can damage protective structures and worsen the situation. They recommend sustainable town planning, plantation in riverbeds, and maintaining wide natural margins to reduce flood risks.
Ruda’s Position
A spokesperson for Ruda stated that the authority inherited more than 100 illegal or partially approved housing schemes from LDA and TMAs. He claimed that Ruda is working on river training projects, and once completed, these will protect the area from future floods.
He added that housing developers are required to build their own flood protection embankments before receiving final approvals. According to Ruda, river training works have already been completed in some stretches, and those areas remained safe during recent floods.
Residents’ Concerns
Residents, however, remain worried. Federal Minister for Communications Aleem Khan, whose housing scheme Park View was also affected, criticized Ruda for failing to complete embankments and protective structures despite charging fees from developers.
Way Forward
Experts recommend:
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Conducting a comprehensive flood risk study for all river-adjacent areas.
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Restoring natural vegetation and riparian forests to slow water flow.
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Ensuring strict enforcement of existing housing rules by all authorities.
With billions of rupees already lost, the situation highlights the urgent need for sustainable urban planning and stronger flood protection measures along the Ravi.
