Lahore: The governing body of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) recently approved a set of regulations devised to facilitate the construction of high-rise buildings in the city, according to a news report. In addition to approving the said ‘LDA Building and Zone Regulations’, the body also accorded its approval to the Lahore Master Plan 2040.
LDA Vice Chairman SM Imran presided over the meeting. MPAs Sadia Suhail Rana, Sheikh Imtiaz Mehmood, Malik Mukhtar Ahmed, and Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Managing Director Syed Zahid Aziz were all present at the occasion.
As per LDA officials, the new policies serve as follow-up provisions to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s earlier directives in which he had asked the authorities concerned to develop high-rise structures in order to counter urban sprawl and save agricultural land.
With regard to the city’s master plan, a number of sessions had been previously held to consider suggestions from all stakeholders. For thus purpose, a 10-member team, headed by Chief Metropolitan Planner Syed Nadeem Akhtar Zaidi, has been tasked with the responsibility concerning the appointment of a consultant for the project.
Moreover, the governing body also finalised its decision to set up a technology zone on 118 kanals of land in the Kot Lakhpat area. This proposed facility will be developed in collaboration with the Punjab Information and Technology Board (PITB).
As per another decision, public interest spaces in LDA housing schemes will now be allotted on open bidding process to ensure transparency. The LDA’s governing body plans to lease LDA properties from a time period of 1-10 years, and conduct all agreements through an open-bidding process. Under these agreements, advance rent will be collected from leaseholders, with a yearly 10% increase in rental dues.
Furthermore, the Town Administration would be given the authority to allocate spaces for graveyards. Similarly, for plot allocation geared towards mosque constructions, developers will now be required to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the managements of the district mosques concerned.
