LDA, ACE launch joint operation against illegal structures

LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA), in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), has launched a crackdown against illegal constructions and unlawful housing schemes.

Officials of both the organisations conducted raids in different areas of the provincial capital on Sunday and sealed Eastern Marquee, located along the Canal Road near Wafaqi Colony. The provincial property watchdog also demolished illegal structures that had been erected unlawfully.

Following the decision to join venture by the ACE and the LDA for curbing illegal housing schemes and violation of building bye-laws, a combined action team of eight officers of both the departments was constituted for this purpose a few days ago.

In order to redress the complaints pending in the ACE, Lahore Region, a meeting was convened in the office of the ACE director to streamline the operation straggly against illegal constructions and private housing schemes within the jurisdiction of the LDA.

In pursuance of the decisions taken during a meeting with the ACE (investigation) Lahore Region director and deputy director, the committee was constituted for taking necessary actions against the illegal and unauthorised constructions and the private housing schemes as per the LDA Act and Rules in association with ACE Deputy Director (Investigation) Shahrukh Khan Niazi.

The joint team included LDA Town Planning 1 director, Municipal Planning-1 director, Town Planning (DTP-IV Zone) deputy director, Town Planning (DTP-III Zone) deputy director, assistant directors, deputy directors of the respective area, while ACE has nominated Lahore Region deputy director (technical), assistant director (technical) and any co-opted member.

The committee will take necessary actions against the illegal and unauthorised constructions. The private housing schemes falling within the jurisdiction of the LDA under the LDA Act, 1975, the LDA Building and Zoning Regulations, 2007 and the LDA Private Housing Scheme Rules, 2014 respectively and other applicable law remained in vogue from time to time.

The committee will utilise available machinery, human resources and the LDA police force for completion of the task.