Lahore: The Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) has announced its intention to use chunks of land designated as ‘green areas’ in Lahore for constructing low-cost homes under the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme (NPHP), a news source reported. For this purpose, the authority will seek approval from Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.
At present, the provincial government has imposed on a ban on the construction of housing schemes on arable land or in green areas. This initiative is meant to protect the remaining chunks of agricultural land located in the city suburbs.
To prevent urban sprawl on arable land, Prime Minister Imran Khan had instructed the authorities concerned to promote the construction of high-rise buildings in the country. In response, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) recently approved new Building and Zoning Regulations 2019 in a bid to facilitate the developers of high-rises.
Meanwhile, the citizens of Lahore have requested the executive to commence with the NPHP development in order to facilitate the provision of affordable housing facilities to the homeless. Sources claim that PHATA will initiate the development work following the CM’s approval concerning the transfer of thousands of kanals of land to the authority.
