Like the mythological phoenix, the dying river Ravi is set to rise from its remains and give birth to a new Lahore on the largest 46 kilometers long riverfront to compete with any modern city in the world.
Provincial Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering (HUD&PHE) Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed described it a novel project that would benefit the communities and the investors and help improve environment of the city. “The RRFUD project is reflection of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision to build a new Pakistan,” the minister said. “PTI government is fulfilling another promise made to people.”
He said the Ravi Riverfront will be developed in three phases. In the first phase, a lake covering 46 kilometers area, six wastewater treatment plants, three barrages and urban forest would be developed during first three years. The minister said a total land area of 103271 acres will be acquired for the project that would also include building of wastewater and surface water treatment plants, network of roads and 12 new cities including Medical City, Residential City, Downtown, Commercial Hub, Urban Farms and Miscellaneous Use City would be built.
Lahore city once known for its beautiful gardens, historic buildings and a culture loved by everyone, had suffered the unchecked populace migration, pollution and ground water adulteration.
“Innovation City spanning over 1370 acres will be developed in the second phase while the third phase will see the completion of Knowledge City, Sports City and Eco City on a land area of 14000 acres,” the minister said. He said the development of the lake will purge the Ravi from domestic and industrial waste and provide 271 billion litres of water, adding that the wastewater treatment plants would help treat 2.4 billion litre water that would irrigate 75000 acres of land.
Elaborating the importance of ‘Surface Water Treatment Plants’, he said the plant will decrease dependency of the Lahorites on the ground water by 50 percent as 2.4 billion liters of safe drinking water will be produced from the canal water after treatment.
Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed said the project will be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 2000 billion with financing to be met though Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), Joint ventures (JVs), Private Finance Initiative (PFI), multilateral loan and grants and budgetary grants and developer financing. “We have envisaged a city of future dreams. It will meet the water needs of Lahore till 2045,” Mahmood ur Rasheed said. “With a length of 46 kilometers and a width of 3280 feet surrounded by a 33 feet high wall, it would look like a gift of nature for the people of Lahore.”
He said three barrages will be built to attain the water level for the riverfront as the project is to generate enormous financial activity through creation of new jobs, housing facilities, clean environment and futuristic facilities. “It is a step towards fulfillment of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf (PTI’s) election manifesto. We are committed to continue our journey to prosperity, better environment, public welfare and economic stability in the country,” the minister said.
