The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has submitted a detailed report to the Lahore High Court during the hearing of a petition opposing permission for kite-flying, highlighting serious safety concerns related to dilapidated buildings ahead of the Basant season.
According to the report, the authority completed a comprehensive survey of dangerous and rundown buildings in Lahore prior to Basant-related activities. The survey identified a total of 346 buildings as hazardous within the Walled City area. Of these, 183 structures were declared beyond repair, while 163 were assessed as repairable.
The report stated that 92 extremely dangerous buildings have been vacated so far. However, despite the risks involved, 254 hazardous buildings remain occupied. Among the occupied structures, 103 were classified as non-repairable and 151 as repairable.
The WCLA informed the court that out of the buildings that have been vacated, 80 are fit for demolition, while 12 can be repaired. The authority warned that rooftops of dangerous buildings are unsafe for Basant-related activities, posing a serious threat to public safety.
The report added that steps have been initiated to restrict the use of unsafe rooftops. Warning notices and awareness banners are being installed across the area to prevent any untoward incidents during the festival.
The authority has also requested the district administration to seal dangerous rooftops and vulnerable portions of buildings. In addition, the deployment of police and paramilitary forces during Basant has been recommended to ensure enforcement of safety measures.
