Unauthorised construction: RDA chief wants strict action against illegal housing schemes

Directs to upload all information about illegal housing schemes on official websites

RAWALPINDI: With illegal housing schemes cropping up with regularity as in the neighbouring Islamabad, the head of the main development authority in Rawalpindi has directed officials to take action against illegal construction, commercial activities and illegal housing societies.

This was directed in a meeting to review the progress of the Rawalpindi Development Authority’s (RDA) directorates including the Metropolitan Planning and Traffic Engineering (MPTE), Land Development and Estate Management (LDEM) and Engineering Directorate on Friday. During the meeting, RDA Director General Rana Akbar Hayat directed the MPTE Directorate to draft agenda items regarding the establishment of low-cost housing scheme based on land development sharing formula.

He said that the staff must have complete knowledge about building and zoning regulations and illegal housing schemes and to redress grievances of the people.

The MPTE was directed to take strict action against illegal and unauthorized constructions and commercial activities.

Furthermore, he also highlighted the need to update RDA’s official website and directed to share information with the public.

Moreover, he directed to upload details of illegal private and cooperative housing schemes in Rawalpindi which fall under the jurisdiction of the RDA on the official website including procedures regarding building plans approval, scheme approval, plot transfer and commercialization.

Hayat also visited One Window Operation Centre (OWOC) of RDA and directed to computerize all records.

The RDA chief also endorsed a proposal by officers that pay packages of RDA employees should be revised as per the pattern of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA).

Accordingly, the instructions were issued to the administration and finance Directorate to put up the agenda for the next meeting. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2018.