Lahore: Families residing in dilapidated buildings should be provided financial compensation or alternative residential units and a survey be conducted prior to taking action against ramshackle establishments, a news source quoted Lahore Division Commissioner Dr Mujtaba Paracha. He expressed these views during a session held to review 2,042 dilapidated establishments and structures in Lahore.
Officials of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), Walled City Authority, local government department, and deputy directors of all districts attended the session.
Dr Paracha said 1,064 buildings out 2,042 structures fall under restoration category. As many as 683 establishments out of 1,064 have been restored to their original state, he added.
He informed the participants that 815 structures out of 2,042 are ruins, adding that authorities concerned have demolished 532 out of 815 ruins.
The commissioner stressed the need to identify heritage sites and historical monuments amongst dilapidated structures and establishments, urging departments concerned to collaborate with heritage experts on the issue.
He said people residing in ramshackle establishments have been sent notices to vacate the site as living in such buildings pose a threat to their life as the structure could collapse anytime.
The government, he said, has decided to conduct a survey prior to taking any action against such structures and establishments so that proper mechanism could be devised to address such a sensitive issue.
