Daily Times

LAHORE: Lack of coordination between Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) was halting the demolition of a dangerous water tank located in Ravi Block Park, Allama Iqbal Town, putting the lives of locals at stake, Daily Times has learnt.

A group of residents told this scribe that the water tank has not been functional for the last two decades, adding that they informed WASA and PHA officials about their concerns, but the officials refrained from taking action in this regard.

The residents further said that when PHA took the initiative to demolish the dangerous water tank, WASA officials created problems to stop the demolition work. Locals claimed that the rubble, present on the cap of the tank, may cause an unfortunate incident, as children often visit the park where the tank was located.

The water tank cup was broken from different places but WASA officials were unaware of the situation. This entire scenario showed the lack of apathy on part of the WASA officials.

A WASA official, on condition of anonymity, blamed the sub-contractor for destroying the water tank and said that he submitted an application in Iqbal Town Police Station, demanding legal action against him. WASA Iqbal Town Division Sub-Engineer Wahaj Khan Niazi claimed that the tank was owned by WASA and its roof was completely destroyed without taking on board the authorities concerned. He also demanded the police to recover compensation from the sub-contractor.

Giving his remarks on the application, Lahore Development Authority (LDA) member Ahmad Hussain urged the police to take action against the accused.

Documents available with Daily Times included a copy of the application that was submitted by WASA, a copy of the application the residents submitted with their signatures and remarks of the PHA Zone 1 Director Muhammad Nawaz Ramay.

Locals, in their application, showed numerous concerns over the water tank, saying that the tank was connected to a tube well for several years, but now it was not operational. They also alleged that the cap of the tank was used for illegal activities including sexual activities, firing and gambling.

The PHA Director Horticulture Z-1 Muhammad Nawaz Ramay ordered renovation of the Ravi Block Park and demolition of unnecessary buildings as well as the old water tank, which had become a threat for children and women.

It is pertinent to mention that Wahaj Khan Niazi was contacted several times by this scribe, but his cell phone was switched off till the filling of this story.

Sources said that Anayyat, a PHA official, gave a written statement to the police, accepting that PHA gave permission to demolish the overhead reservoir.

Baba Ibrahim, the main contractor, said that the decision to demolish the tank was taken by PHA Director Nawaz Ramhay in the PHA office at Gulshan Iqbal Park. He added that he gave the contract to the sub-contractor to only demolish the overhead reserve cup.