Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) Chief Executive Officer Imran Amin has declared all housing schemes and constructions on the River Ravi’s bed illegal, stating that no NOC was ever issued for such developments.
Speaking on a local news channel, he said several unauthorized settlements near Lahore and Shahdara were established along the river’s course. RUDA has now decided to clear all structures built within one kilometer of the riverbed.
Amin stressed that encroachments inside the river are unlawful and highlighted the importance of the Ravi Urban Development Project. Once completed, he noted, Lahore would be able to withstand flood surges of up to 600,000 cusecs.
He also clarified that RUDA is no longer acquiring land forcibly and assured that those under-compensated in earlier phases are now being fairly reimbursed.
The statement comes after River Ravi floodwaters entered five Lahore neighborhoods last week, including Shafiqabad, Farrakhabad, Tallat Park, Theme Park near Chuhng, and Park View Housing Society, submerging roads and damaging property.
The river is currently carrying 220,000 cusecs of water, still below its 250,000-cusec capacity. Authorities confirmed timely evacuations, with residents shifted to relief camps or relatives’ homes. Camps are providing food, shelter, and livestock protection, while emergency services remain on alert
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