Daily Times

LAHORE: Pani Wala Talaab, the oldest water reservoir inside the Walled City of Lahore is becoming derelict due to aging and neglect by the concerned authorities which include Water & Sanitation Agency (WASA) and Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA), reliable sources informed Daily Times.

The sources added that the reservoir was supplying water to different parts of the Walled City Lahore whereas the underground water pipes having leakages were becoming a threat for the nearby properties. Sources said that the building of the reservoir was itself getting derelict having wreckages in the walls, ceilings and roof whereas the pipes inside the reservoir had not been dusted off since ages.

On visiting the location, Daily Times learnt that the reservoir has a limit of storing 10,000 gallons of water in it at one time. Daily Times further observed that the condition of the building was decaying and the terrace via staircase leading to the rooftop was shaky and crumbling.

According to history, this water reservoir was the first one in Lahore established in 1883-4 by the British and was inaugurated by Sir Charles Aitchison, the then lieutenant governor of Punjab. It was the very first technically designed water supply mechanism with connected tubewells, water pumps and pipelines to individual houses of the entire walled city.

The actual storage was built over nearly 14 acres of land and it had four steel tanks of 180 feet height fixed in it. Initially, it worked on the steam engine system but in later years after the 1965 war, the mechanism was shifted on electrical system. Some historic accounts say that it was built on the highest point of the walled city and pipes were laid in a manner that the water could reach all the streets and house hold units.

Pani Wala Talaab area local resident Muhammad Ali was of the opinion that there were some leakages in the pipes due to which the area around the place was getting damp and causing seepage into the foundations of the old houses. He said that some locals claimed that they had informed the authorities about the matter and they might take action in near future. He agreed to the fact that this reservoir is still a source of water supply for most of the parts of the walled city, Lahore.

A local tourist guide of the area, seeking anonymity, told Daily Times that he had often tried to take tourists inside the reservoir but he never got the permission. “It is one of the most important places inside the walled city which is considered as an engineering marvel of 19th century and needs to be declared as a touristic site,” he said.

Walled City, Lahore resident and socialite Mian Yousaf Salahuddin said that it was the main responsibility of WASA to protect and look after this place as it is still functioning and supplying water to all the residents of the walled city. He added that as it was a functional reservoir therefore it could be declared as a heritage site but owing to its age and importance it should have been maintained and WCLA and WASA should jointly work on its maintenance.

WCLA Conservation & Planning Director General Najam Saqib remarked that no doubt it was one of the important sites but so far no plans were made for its conservation by the WCLA as the possession of Pani Wala Talaab was with WASA. He said that if WASA would ask for help or assistance for the conservation and preservation of this reservoir they would surely step forward and extend their support.

WASA Managing Director Zahid Aziz said, “We have plans for improving the infrastructure of the reservoir as a priority as it is getting weaker. In the first phase we will try to reduce the load on its walls where the water tanks are placed because the load it making the structure feeble. We will plan for the conservation of this place in near future by consulting experts, as we have not worked on this part so far. We also have plans to create a museum inside this reservoir and open it for the tourists”.

He further added that all the water pipes were cleaned by WASA with chlorine on daily basis and people of the area were getting clean water from the reservoir. He concluded that WASA would welcome any agency or organisation who wishes to extend their support in the conservation of the building.

Published in Daily Times, May 10^th 2018.