Lahore: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) on Wednesday continued with its operation against illegal housing schemes situated in the city, a news source reported. As per officials, the civic body also demolished several illegal structures.
Following the orders of LDA Director General (DG) Muhammad Usman Muazzam, the authority’s Town Planning & Enforcement officials carried out the operation in areas, which included:
Allama Iqbal Town
UMT Road
Johar Town
Multan Road
Khayaban-e-Firdousi
G1 Market Road
Israr Market Road
During the operation, the LDA officials demolished around nine illegally built structures. An LDA spokesperson revealed that they had removed more than two dozen such constructions during the ongoing week; which included structures along the Canal Road and Grand Trunk Road. These encroachments included certain shops, commercial buildings constructed on residential plots, non-conforming constructions, and structures violating land-use rules.
To protect public interest, LDA has also launched a WhatsApp Helpline: 0322-888-8283. Using this helpline service, citizens can register their complaints against illegal constructions, encroachments, land grabbing, road conditions, commercial activities, and private housing societies.
The LDA DG stated that he would randomly call back complainants on a daily basis to monitor the performance of the LDA officials. He added that they would keep the identity of these informants as anonymous, but the LDA would welcome relevant documents and evidence supporting the complaints.
Previously, the LDA had established a committee for taking actions against illegal constructions and private housing schemes in the city. This committee comprised of officials from both LDA and the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE). It would streamline the operation against illegal constructions and private housing societies falling within LDA’s jurisdiction, along with addressing complaints to the ACE Lahore region.
LDA had also empowered this body to take actions against unauthorised structures according to the LDA Act and Rules. The committee would verify the status of constructions identifies by the ACE officials and that of private housing schemes in compliance with records and applicable rules.
