Ravi City to have industrial zone with renewable energy resources

LAHORE : The Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) has planned to establish the country’s first ever environment-friendly industrial estate which will be completely based on the renewable energy resources.

This was stated by RUDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Imran Amin while talking to journalists in his office. Imran Amin said that according to his own view, the new Ravi City was not merely a housing scheme but also a project to build a complete new and modern city on the banks of River Ravi. “This project will restore the natural water resources of the area,” he said, adding the new city would have a dedicated industrial zone which would generate its own electricity through renewable energy resources.

When asked why a new city was needed, he said the provincial metropolis was already overburdened and expanding randomly. “The city is already under immense stress and needs a breathing space. The stress is increasing with every passing day and presently the only solution is to establish a new city,” Imran Amin said. “Ravi city project is also the dream project of Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said, adding the new city would bring back the old glory of the city.

To another question, the RUDA CEO said that wastewater treatment plants would be installed on both sides of the River Ravi which would bring back the life to Ravi. Replying to a question about flooding in River Ravi, he said in case India released water in Ravi, the city will face a flood of around 580,000 cusec whereas, RUDA was redesigning the river to handle a flood of 600,000 cusec water.

He said the main purpose of the project was to not only reinvigorate the River Ravi but also to accelerate the economic pace of Pakistan. “Ravi City will be an eco-friendly fortress of technological advancements,” he said. He said that to ensure food security, the country’s first ever vertical farming would also be introduced in the new city, which will cater for the needs of the local community.

He said RUDA as an authority was creating strategic alliances to empower farmers with modern farming techniques.