Committee formed to clear encroachments along Soan River.

RAWALPINDI -- Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha has formed a three-member committee for demarcation of Soan River's right of way to clear encroachments along the river in order to avoid a flood-like situation in the coming monsoon season.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema will head the committee while representatives from the Irrigation Department and Small Dams Organisation will be its members.

The committee will submit a detailed report for perusal of the commissioner after 14 days.

The committee will carry out an exercise for demarcation of the flood plain and right of way of the Soan River. It will look for diversions in the flood plain of Soan River and specify the no-construction zones in order to preserve the natural flood plain of Soan River.

The commissioner asked the committee to chalk out a plan for removal of encroachments and illegal construction after the demarcation exercise.

Director Development and Finance Nazia Sadhan wrote a letter to the department and pointed out presence of encroachments and construction activities along Soan River. She asked the department to submit a report to the divisional commissioner as soon as possible.

She said Soan River was one of the major water bodies of Potohar Plateau passing through the heart of the garrison city and cultivating the Potohar Region. She said that the river was of immense importance for the city however, during recent times, it has been observed that flood plains and right of way of Soan River is heavily encroached and water flow is obstructed.

She said that the commissioner took serious notice of the alarming situation along...