LAHORE – Lahore DCO Noor-ul-Amin Mengal has ordered a survey of dangerous and dilapidated buildings situated in all towns of the City before the start of the monsoon season.
Mengal further directed to take action against most dangerous buildings in accordance with the law. He also said that advance arrangements should be made in low-lying areas before the start of the monsoon and vigilant staff should be deputed for monitoring there. The Lahore DCO was presiding over a meeting held to review the district emergency flood action plan on Friday.
In the meeting, Assistant Commissioner (City) Saira Umar and officers of other departments gave briefing on the arrangements for flood. Mengal said that the central control room would be set up at the DCO office before the commencement of the monsoon season, which will start functioning from July 15 and Lahore Additional Collector will be in charge of the control room. The DCO directed all TMOs to make arrangements for setting up control rooms in their respective towns which will work around the clock.
Mengal issued special directions to the authorities of irrigation department for monitoring of the areas on both sides of River Ravi from where water could enter the low-lying areas, and said that advance arrangements should be made in case of any emergency.
The DCO also directed to make special arrangements for cleaning of the drains and Nullahs in the city to ensure smooth flow of water. He directed all TMOs to identify the dangerous and dilapidated buildings in their respective towns with the collaboration of building planning department and to issue warning to the owners of these buildings.
Mengal directed the TMAs to keep their dewatering sets operational before the start of the monsoon season and acquire more sets in case of shortage. He said to the officers that encroachments in the river bed should be removed immediately. He directed the health department officers to keep good stock of necessary vaccine and medicines for first aid at all the basic health centres. He directed the officers of WASA, LESCO, Rescue-1122, civil defence, education and other departments to keep close liaison with each other and submit a report of the monsoon plan of their respective departments.
TOWN OFFICER FIRED: Also, the Lahore DCO has fired Zakir Hussain, the town officer of Aziz Bhatti Town, from his post immediately on the charges of negligence, poor performance and forgery in official record. He also surrendered his services and placed them at the disposal of secretary local government.