Authorities have banned swimming at seven points of the city canal as well as in the Ravi River under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The decision was made in order to prevent the increasing incidents of drowning.
People have been stopped from swimming at seven sections of the canal; near Khaira Bridge, Harbanspura underpass, Dharampura underpass, Jail Road underpass, Doctors Hospital, Thokar Niaz Baig and Thokar Flyover.
At the seven points where swimming has been banned, colored ropes along the canal bank bar access to swimmers. The district government has also asked police to take action against violators.
According Rescue-1122, four people had drowned in the past 45 days.
The authorities requested the district government through the Irrigation Department to impose the ban. Lahore District Coordination Officer Capt (r) Muhammad Usman has issued new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for monitoring the people who come to swim in the canal.
The authorities have also decided to monitor the points of Lahore Canal where citizens are allowed to swim. The points include: from VR Bridge to Sozo Water Park Bridge, from Haji Jamal Bridge to Ring Road Bridge, from Sultanpura Bridge to Taj Bagh Bridge, from Fatehgarh Bridge to Tajbagh Bridge, from Chobucha Bridge to Dharampura Bridge, from Mian Mir Bridge to Jail Road Bridge, from Mall Road Bridge to Jail Road Bridge, from FC College Bridge to Ferozepur Bridge and from Jinnah Hospital Bridge to Doctor’s Hospital Bridge.
The authorities will also display banners at these points, mentioning precautionary measures.
Lifeguards will also be present in these areas to deal with any emergency.
On each point, Rescue-1122, Revenue Department, Health Department and Civil Defence Departments employees would be deployed. A duty roaster has been prepared in this regard.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 25th, 2014.