The Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) has declared an ambitious plan to construct 46 kilometers of flood-protection embankments along both banks of the River Ravi over the next three years. The initiative emerges in response to recent floods that highlighted the urgent need for stronger river defenses to safeguard nearby communities.
Rao Intizar Ali, Project In-Charge for River Training Works, explained during a media briefing that earlier embankments built along a 7-kilometer stretch had already proven effective by protecting various villages in Sapphire Bay from inundation.
Building on that success, RUDA now intends to complete embankments, each 30 feet high, on both sides of the river. The project will also include a one-kilometer-wide riverbed to manage water flow more efficiently.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed RUDA to fast-track the construction after the recent floods caused severe damage in the region. The Punjab government will also assist in removing encroachments along the river to ensure uninterrupted progress.
“We are optimistic that the embankments will be completed within the given timeline, providing long-term protection to Lahore and its surrounding areas,” Rao Intizar said.
Read more: Pakistan floods devastate crops, disrupt supply chains, farmers warn of billions in losses
He acknowledged that delays in the past were mainly due to land acquisition challenges. However, with the chief minister instructing all departments to cooperate, officials believe work will now move ahead without encountering with any major issues.
Impacts of the Project
The construction of these embankments is going to bring multiple benefits. First and foremost, they will act as a protective shield for Lahore and nearby towns, thereby reducing the risk of widespread flooding during monsoon seasons.
This will save thousands of families from
- Displacement
- Property damage
- Economic loss
Secondly, the project is going to restore confidence among local residents and investors by ensuring that future developments in the Ravi Riverfront area remain safe from flood threats. Farmers, who often suffer heavy crop losses due to overflowing riverbanks, will also receive ample of advantages.
In the long run, experts keep on believing that the project could set a model for other riverfront cities in Pakistan, where climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of floods.