Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed - PDMA

users as was offered by formers in KP. Provision for pre-designated breaches at
barrages, bunds and motorways/highways could be provided after conducting a
detail survey and preparing feasibility reports.
B. Motorways/Highways
87. It was brought to the notice of the Commission by representatives of KP
that the major reason for inundation of agricultural lands and abadis on the
northern side of Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M1) was the inadequate
capacity of crossing bridges meant for the drainage of flood flows in rivers
located between Peshawar and Mardan. The motorway virtually acted like a
“bund” obstructing the natural course of water flows in the area. The bed of river
Kabul, upstream and downstream of the main Kabul river bridge, has silted up to
an alarming level which has decreased the waterway and poses a serious threat
of out-flanking and over-topping of this vitally important structure during floods. In
fact, this happened during the flood of 2010 near the Jindi River which damaged
the M1 resulting in closure of the motorway for several days. Similar concerns
were voiced by representatives of civil society organizations and provinces.
88. It is imperative for the NHA and the FFC to carry out a joint survey and
study of all its road network in the country to identify areas of possible flooding as
a result of obstruction caused by these roads and take remedial measures for
provision of designated escape channels to ease the pressure of flood at various
potential locations. The provincial highways and irrigation departments may also
be associated. The Hon’ble Supreme Court may wish to advise the government
to initiate actions, accordingly.
III. Encroachments
89. The 2010 Flood has fully exposed the illegal encroachments which have
been allowed to go unchecked by the concerned authorities due to negligence,
corruption and poor managements resulting in massive losses to life and
property.
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