Latest news with #RawalpindiMunicipalCorporation
Express Tribune
18-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Flood-hit Pindi swamped by waste, stench
Seventeen hours after devastating floods inundated low-lying areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the receding waters left behind a hazardous trail of destruction across the city and disease outbreaks in several neighbourhoods on Thursday. Streets, markets, homes, and shops were not only waterlogged but now littered with rotting garbage, foul-smelling black sludge from choked sewers, and carcasses of dead rats, lizards, cats, cockroaches, and other insects, creating a severe health hazard and sparking disease outbreaks in several vicinities. As the waters withdrew, an unbearable stench spread through the streets and homes, compelling residents, primarily women, to begin cleaning their houses with clean water. Locals also took it upon themselves to sweep away sewage-contaminated debris that had accumulated in front of their homes and in the surrounding streets. The post-flood landscape resembled an abandoned, desolate town. Despite the passage of an entire day since the water receded on Thursday, no sanitation teams from the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB), or Rawalpindi Solid Waste Management Company (RSWMC) had arrived to begin cleanup. Similarly, not a single official from federal and provincial ministers to members of the assembly, the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, or representatives of relevant departments visited the flood-stricken areas. Their absence, reportedly driven by fear of public outrage, only added to residents' frustration. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqas Cheema, along with other officials, instead surveyed the situation from the Gawalmandi bridge under heavy police security. From that vantage point, they gestured toward the floodwater, seemingly downplaying the severity of the situation before retreating to their offices or homes. Although the powerful floodwaters had initially helped flush out clogged drains, the debris, sludge, and trash left behind were swept back into the drains by residents during their cleanup efforts. Throughout the flooding, many citizens also disposed of household and commercial waste directly into the drainage systems. Dengue control operations across the city were completely suspended on Thursday due to the flooding. Concerned citizens urgently called for fumigation and disinfection of all flood-affected areas to prevent the outbreak of waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases. The DC announced that citywide sanitation efforts would commence Friday in the affected zones. Orders have reportedly been issued to all relevant field staff to carry out comprehensive cleanup operations.
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
RMC orders evacuation of 'unsafe' buildings
With the onset of the monsoon season, the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has identified 86 dilapidated buildings across the city that pose serious risks to human life, issuing notices to the occupants and instructing them to vacate these dangerous structures within 15 days. The corporation has also warned of legal action against those who fail to comply. The identified buildings, located in densely populated areas such as Bhabra Bazaar, Landa Bazaar, Saidpuri Gate, Raja Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Dangi Khoi, and other locations, have been declared hazardous due to their deteriorating condition. Officials fear that continued occupancy during monsoon rains, potential floods, or earthquakes could lead to a major disaster. Under the Punjab Local Government Act 2022, building owners have been directed to either repair their properties or demolish the dangerous portions within the specified timeframe. If these instructions are ignored, the authorities will forcibly vacate the premises and may initiate legal proceedings against both owners and residents. A public notice has also been issued in newspapers to raise awareness. Meanwhile, municipal teams continue to survey and identify additional unsafe structures throughout the city. Officials say all necessary steps will be taken to ensure the safety of citizens. It is worth noting that, according to law, such actions should ideally be taken well before the start of the monsoon season. However, in practice, notices are often issued only after rains beginmainly so that in case of an accident, the authorities can claim they had fulfilled their duty. In many cases, residents of these unsafe buildings lack the financial means to relocate and are forced to continue living in hazardous conditions.
Express Tribune
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Building collapse sparks evacuation drive
Following the collapse of a dilapidated and vacant building in Bohar Bazaar owing to heavy rainfall, the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) have launched a city-wide emergency operation, declaring over 200 multi-storey buildings, aged between 100 to 150 years and in a state of disrepair, dangerous and ordering to be vacated immediately. Warning notices have been issued to residents living in and around these fragile structures, as well as to those residing along the 22-kilometer-long Nullah Leh and 15 seasonal stormwater drains. These areas are prone to flooding, and the pre-monsoon rains have already submerged up to 70% of the city under three feet of water. Authorities have announced that if any building collapses, FIRs (First Information Reports) will be filed against its occupants. Legal action will also be taken against owners, tenants, and residents who fail to comply with the evacuation notices. Despite spending Rs80 million on cleaning Nullah Leh and Rs60m on clearing storm drains, floodwaters have still entered homes and shops in low-lying areas, causing losses worth millions of rupees. In response, the Chief Officer of the RMC has launched a public awareness campaign, warning of severe legal consequences for families refusing to vacate dangerous buildings. Technical assistance is being offered to residents for building repairs. Furthermore, notices have been issued to evacuate all settlements located along Nullah Leh and storm drains. Encroachments, including animal shelters, must be removed immediately. The ETPB has also issued final notices to tenants occupying around 250 properties — buildings, plazas, and shops — asking them to vacate leaking and structurally unsound premises. These century-old and older buildings are primarily located in Rawalpindi's old city areas, including Mohalla Shah Chan Chiragh, Pul Shah Nazar Dewan, Mohalla Niyarian, Bohar Bazaar, Bhabi Bhara Bazaar Raja Bazaar, Trunk Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, areas around Lal Haveli, Purana Qila, Ghazni Road, Bagh Sardaran, Kartarpura, Angatpura, Sarafa Bazaar Landa Bazaar, Narankari Bazaar, Kalan Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Sarai Mughal, both sides of Jamia Masjid Road, Tyre Bazaar, Chitian Hattian, Teli Mohalla, Ganjmandi, and Gawalmandi.
Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Pindi braces for monsoon flooding
With the onset of the pre-monsoon season, the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), Rawalpindi District Council, cantonment boards, and the Evacuee Trust Property Board have issued final red noticessome for the second timeordering the evacuation of 285 multi-storey buildings across the district that are over 100 years old and prone to leaking during rainfall. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema has imposed a ban on dumping garbage, building material, and other waste into the 22-km-long Nullah Leh and 15 stormwater drains. Station House Officers (SHOs) of area police stations have been directed to register cases against violators. Following directives from the district administration, residents of low-lying areas along Nullah Leh have started moving valuablesjewelry, refrigerators, sofas, and other household itemsto safer locations. Some families have already begun temporary relocation. To deal with potential flooding, the Civil Defence Department, District Administration, and the 111 Brigade have decided to conduct joint full-dress rehearsals next week. These drills will be carried out in low-lying areas near Rawal Dam, including Nadeem Colony and Javed Colony, and will involve Civil Defence, police, and Rescue 1122. The Meteorological Department's forecast for pre-monsoon rains next week has caused concern among residents living near the stormwater channels. Fifteen temporary Civil Defence warden posts have been activated in these areas. Every year, heavy rains during the monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons cause widespread destruction in Rawalpindi, affecting about 70 per cent of the city's population and commercial areas. The municipal corporation and the Evacuee Trust Property Board have ordered the evacuation and repair of all dilapidated historical buildingsdating back to British and Hindu erasin the inner city. According to the chief officer of the municipal corporation, strict notices have been issued to tenants and owners of these buildings due to the risk of collapse during rainfall. The Evacuee Trust Property Board has also served evacuation noticeseffective until June 30to tenants of both commercial and domestic properties in Raja Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Purana Qila, Bagh Sardaran, Dingi Khoi, Shah Chan Chiragh, Banni Mohalla, Jhanda Mohalla, Jamia Masjid Road, Moti Bazaar, and Trunk Bazaar. These properties, once owned by Hindus and Sikhs, are structurally unsound and overdue for repairs. The district council has warned building owners that structures not vacated will be demolished. Three tenants have challenged the notices in court. The court has issued notices to the district council and the chief officer of the municipal corporation to submit responses. District Civil Defence Officer Talib Hussain confirmed preparations are complete for the full-dress rehearsal in Javed Colony and Nadeem Colony. The flood season in Rawalpindi has been officially declared from July 1 to September 15.
Express Tribune
06-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
RMC finalises Rs1.4b infrastructure, beautification project
The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has finalised a major project worth Rs1.4 billion aimed at the carpeting, expansion and complete restoration of 16 key roads in the garrison city, along with an upgraded drainage system. The project also includes the underground cabling and beautification of the historic Raja Bazaar and Commercial Market areas. According to the sources, the tender for technical bids for the carpeting, expansion, and design of the 16 roads, as well as the completion of the uplift and drainage system, will be opened on May 13. The 16 roads include Ganj Mandi Road, Liaquat Road, DAV College Road, Holy Family Road, Food Street Road, Siskat Road, Faisal Chowk to Door Line Road, ICP Institute Road to Old RWMC Road, Pir Panjra Chowk to Phagwari Road, Dhoke Dalal Road, Pir Wadhai Bridge to Dhoke Dalal Bridge, Bani Chowk to Asghar Mall Road Chowk, Gandum Mandi Novelty Cinema Road, Imambargah Road, and Degree College Asghar Mall Road. However, the work for the restoration and carpeting of roads in Raja Bazaar and Commercial Market will only begin once the underground cabling project is completed. The municipal corporation has already engaged consultants to oversee the underground cabling and beautification of these two areas. Based on the consultant's report, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) will issue a demand note for the underground cabling project. The agreement between the municipal corporation and IESCO stipulates that the municipal corporation will first obtain a report from the consultants to facilitate the issuance of two separate demand notes for the underground cabling work in Raja Bazaar and Commercial Market.
