RAWALPINDI: The illegal dumping of construction waste into Leh Nullah and encroachments along its banks have reduced the major storm drain’s width and threatened the smooth flow of water during the monsoon season.

Behind the Ganjmandi police station, loading vehicles are parked illegally, encroaching on the nullah’s banks. The illegal parking has narrowed the drain’s width and could cause serious problems in the event of heavy rains.

Encroachments along Leh Nullah in areas such as Kashmir Colony, Pirwadhai, Ganjmandi and Gawalmandi have worsened. In these areas, residents have reportedly dumped construction waste into the nullah, further restricting water flow.

Despite this, no civic body has taken notice of the issue. The Punjab government spends millions every year to clear obstructions and ensure smooth water flow to prevent flooding, yet the problem persists.

Leh Nullah, which runs through the heart of Rawalpindi, swells during the monsoon season.

It often wreaks havoc on public life and property. However, no serious efforts have been made to address the issue permanently.

Spanning more than 30 kilometres, the nullah originates from the foothills of the Margalla Hills in Islamabad and drains into the Soan River near the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench in Rawalpindi.

The most devastating flood in Leh Nullah’s history occurred on July 23, 2001, when just a few hours of 620mm rainfall caused severe flooding. Thirty-five people lost their lives and many slums were swept away, resulting in financial losses worth millions.

Despite repeated efforts, the provincial government continues to spend millions of rupees on dredging the nullah every year.

This year, Rs10 million has been allocated for the task to prevent a flood-like situation in the city.

Muhammad Akram, a resident of Ratta Amral, said that for the past few years, loading vehicle owners have been dumping construction material on the banks of the nullah to create parking space, yet no civic authority has intervened to stop them.

He feared that the reduced width of the nullah would obstruct the smooth flow of rainwater from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, increasing the risk of urban flooding.

Sajjad Mehmood, a resident of Ganjmandi, said it was the duty of the district administration, Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) and the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to prevent illegal parking in the area.

He added that local residents were already struggling with the presence of drug addicts in the vicinity and the unauthorised parking had turned the nullah’s banks into a dumping ground for garbage.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) is set to launch the Leh Nullah Expressway and Flood Channel project.

Once the project begins, loading companies may seek compensation for the land occupied by their illegal parking spaces.

A senior RDA official stated that a land procurement survey would commence next month following a consultant’s report identifying the required land for the project.

However, he clarified that no new settlements would be included, and all encroachments would be removed based on land records from the revenue department.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said he had directed district administration and RMC officials to clear illegal parking from Nullah Leh’s banks.

He noted that a ban on truck parking around Raja Bazaar was already in place, allowing loading vehicles to enter the city only for loading and unloading goods before leaving immediately.

“If the illegal parking is not removed, Wasa will take action during next month’s desilting of Nullah Leh,” he added.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2025