Unauthorised construction rampant in Gujranwala

GUJRANWALA: Several unauthorised and illegal construction projects have sprung up across Gujranwala division despite the Punjab government’s directives to take action against those involved in such practices, Express News reported.

Local body representatives, who were elected in January 2017 as supervisors in three Municipal Corporations of Gujranwala division, six-district councils and 26 municipal committees, including 667 union councils, were given the authority to monitor and curb such illegal activities and facilitate the masses.



However, after assuming charge, they have failed to deliver and put a stop to the increasing number of illegal construction projects.

The projects are rampant in Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad and Narowal districts where markets, shops, showrooms, marriage halls and residential plots are being constructed illegally. In some commercial buildings, local government by-laws are being neglected as emergency exits are not being constructed, while parking space is also not being reserved. The situation is becoming worse with each passing day.

Sources told Express News that the provincial government took notice of the matter and issued a warning to municipal authorities but in vain.

A survey of Gujranwala City showed that unauthorised and illegal structures are being constructed at GT Road, Peoples Colony, Satellite Town, Sialkot Colony, Alam Chowk, Awan Chowk, Saleem Colony, Jinnah Road, Hafizabad Road, Sharifpura Road etc.

When contacted, some of the people involved in the construction projects told Express News that building maps have been submitted to the authorities for approval. However, they are continuing to build without approval. “The approval process for commercial buildings takes time which is why the buildings are being constructed prior to the approval,” they revealed.

They claim that corrupt officials are also a major factor which results in delayed approval for the projects.



Meanwhile, local body representatives, requesting anonymity, claim that not all officials are involved in corruption in collusion with the building mafia. Those found involved will have to face an inquiry and cases in the near future.

They said the committee responsible for approving the maps of commercial buildings involves officials from the district administration, buildings department, police officials and representatives of other public departments. “Therefore, holding only the local body representatives responsible for the illegal construction projects is not fair,” they added.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2018.