Removal of structures from riverbanks a Herculean task, Source

PESHAWAR: Although notices have been served on hundreds of people for constructing illegal structures on the riverbanks in Peshawar district, official circles are sceptical about the outcome of the move.

In the wake of the flash floods in July 2010, which wreaked havoc across the country, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly gave a special task to the standing committee on irrigation and power department to chalk out a plan for removal of encroachments to clear waterways, nullahs and canals.

So far, on the directives of the standing committee, the departments concerned despite enjoying legal powers have removed only trees and bushes from the banks of Budni Nullah in the limits of Peshawar`s Town-II.

In other three towns of the provincial capital, particularly in Town-III, the situation remains the same owing to lack of cooperation and coordination among the line departments, thanks to the patronage of influential people.

Owing to rapid urbanisation and massive encroachment rivers and nullahs in the province on the one hand cause floods in rural and urban areas and turn waterways into sewerage lanes on the other.

Experts say that massive encroachment is one of the major reasons of the floods and the government should clear waterways of encroachment to prevent devastations.

The government through The North West Frontier Province River Protection Ordinance, 2002 had empowered the district governments to undertake measures for the protection of aquatic ecology, water quality, economic and environmental value of the rivers and its tributaries in the province, but the departments and agencies concerned have utterly failed to protect sources of water.

The officials of Town-III blamed revenue and irrigation departments for delay in launching drive against encroachers. They also said that influential people encroached and constructed commercial and non-commercial structures along the banks of seasonal streams.

“How can somebody dare to serve notices on influential people,” said an official. “That is why nobody comes to start demarcation survey in the area. Influential figures including a former federal minister and chief minister have constructed big villas on the bed of Achini Khwar opposite Phase-II and III of Hayatabad Township,” he added.

The officials said that breadth of the seasonal drain had been reduced from 300 feet to approximately less than 40 feet which posed potential threat to the town. Ironically not only influential people but the government departments are also encroaching upon the nullah.

The Peshawar Development Authority, which is supposed to carry out sustainable planning for long term, also encroached on seasonal drains passing through various phases of Hayatabad in the name of reclamation and then sold the plots at throwaway prices to private sectors to generate revenue.

A seasonal nullah was narrowed in the town and the plot was sold to private party where multi-storey building for a university was constructed.

The Town-II administrations in collaboration with irrigation and revenue departments have started delineation survey on both banks of Budni Nullah and other seasonal streams passing through populated areas on the outskirts of Peshawar.

An official said that the town administration had served notices on around 2,000 owners of commercial and non-commercial property holders, who had allegedly encroached upon the banks of Budni Nullah. The survey, he said, would be concluded within three months and then campaign would be launched to remove encroachment.

“In first phase trees were cut down while in the second phase the owners will be asked to remove encroachment voluntarily otherwise government will take initiative,” he said.

He said that under the law construction was not allowed within 200 feet, to be measured along the slope beyond high water limit, on either side of a river or its tributaries.

Tough task for the administration is removal of illegal structure including houses, shops, gas pumps and mosques etc which have blocked the nullah. “The town administration has served notices on encroachers and now it is up to the political leadership to take action,” the official said.

Notices have been circulated, but the government has yet to complete legal formalities before launching the drive. Under the existing law, the government has to notify trial courts of the judicial magistrates of the first class to try offences.

District Coordination Officer Siraj Ahmad Khan and other officials seem unaware of the trial courts. The DCO said that notification of the trial courts was the law department`s job and district government would launch campaign upon the completion of the demarcation survey.