Lahore has been the home to more than an 11 Million People, the mega-city is considered and perhaps is highly polluted. A project for improving the traffic congestion and environmental pollution in the second largest city of Pakistan is approved by CM Usman Buzdar. Namely, Ravi Riverfront Project the urban development near Lahore on the banks of River Ravi.
A ‘Dubai-Like’ Modern City, Yeah Dubai! Is approved to be built near Lahore. The magnificent thought and vision of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar for the development of Punjab must be appreciated. He has permitted the construction of ‘Ravi Riverfront Project’ a modern city spread over 100,000 acres.
The final approval for the project’s finances and other significant matters will be decided in the Punjab Cabinet. However, the anticipations lead to the conclusion that around 5 Trillion Rs will be invested by the private sector. It is highly likely to be an important venture for Lahore and Punjab.
Ravi Riverfront Project to Mend River Ravi
The new city will be built on the banks of River Ravi and is projected to restore the River to a perpetual fresh waterbody. Certainly, a lot more complications must be advised and properly maintained in order to make this development successful. The river water flow, water quality and most importantly the flooding aspect must be in consideration of the authorities. The construction of Barrages and weirs must be introduced to store the surface water. Moreover, a ‘Wastewater Treatment’ plan must be implemented to avoid polluting the waterbody.
Ravi Riverfront Project
Initially, the project was envisioned in the year 2013 & a global consultancy was hired to project the outcomes and feasibilities. Meinhardt (Pakistan) led the consortium. The consultancy provided adequate importance of the project will the possible outcomes.
- Better impact on Socio-Economic Lifestyle.
- Increased Tourism.
- Adequate Measures for Flood Protection.
- Protection of River Ravi – Ecological Uplifting.
- Lahore to experience Environmental Pollution.
Contrary to such an important positive impact a practical negative impact hovers over the project. The Loss of Agricultural Land & 65 Settlements of around 80,000 People. The agricultural land is said to be 76,000 acres more or less. However, the firm concluded that these negative impacts are just temporary and can be relieved.
The New City Includes some of Important Zones
- Residential zones
- Commercial zone and central business district
- Large lake and three barrages
- Forest reserve and urban farms
- Medical city
- Innovation and Knowledge city
- Tourism and sports city
Lead Environmentalists & Their Take on the Matter
Lead Environmentalists have recommended some important thoughts that Pakistan fears in the near future. Further pressure on the natural resources might inflict serious harm to the environmental issue of water shortage in Pakistan. However, the policymakers should consider the fact that the River Ravi is an important aspect here. The floodplain of the river must be intact to address future flood threats and loss of aquifers. The river plays an important more like the most important role in this project.
Green Urban Development
Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan – Mr Imran Khan is fond of Green Development. As we have seen him work on various places that show his love for the environment. He leads the meeting of RRUDP (Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project) and exclaimed how important it is to have an integrated plan. He projected the idea that clean drinking water and unplanned construction will be a challenge and must be heard accordingly.
PM – Imran Khan is fond of modernization but with proper green urbanization and development. He has said straightforwardly that Pakistan is one of the Environmentally-Threatened countries so proper green spaces are the solution. Arable land when housed by residential schemes might inflict a serious issue for the future of the country. He encourages vertical construction to avoid the extra intake of land by the housing or commercial schemes.
