LDA approves Rs580m for maintenance of roads

DG says authority has decided to revamp busy roads for smooth flow of traffic

LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) approved Rs580 million for the repair and maintenance of important city roads on Saturday.

LDA Director General Muhammad Usman Moazam approved the reconstruction and maintenance of city roads, as well as the repainting of curb stones in different areas of the provincial capital.

The DG highlighted that the authority had decided to revamp busy roads on a priority basis for the smooth flow of traffic, especially during peak hours. To solve traffic issues at the Thokar Niaz Baig junction, he indicated the authority would seek the private sector’s cooperation.

Presiding over a meeting, he also announced a crackdown against land grabbers as well as illegal construction and commercialisation. He warned citizens to vacate state property, demolish illegal structures and remove illegal commercialisation within a fortnight. He said the authority would take strict action after the passing of this deadline. The authority had also decided to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for the biometric verification of stakeholders during property transactions. As per the MoU terms, NADRA would establish special facilitation desks at its offices in Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nanka Sahib, where local citizens would be able to submit their applications. The MoU will be signed on Monday.

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Anti-encroachment operation

Meanwhile, the district administration conducted an anti-encroachment operation at Jinnah Hospital’s entry point, under the supervision of Model Town Assistant Commissioner Nasrullah Ranjah. District administration officials, on the orders of Lahore Deputy Commissioner Saleha Saeed, removed several permanent and temporary structures to improve traffic flow.

Similarly, Raiwind Assistant Commissioner Adnan Badar carried out an operation in the vegetable market. District administration officials demolished 12 illegally constructed buildings, 25 illegal sale points and removed 50 illegal pushcarts. They also demolished seven concrete sheds.

District administration officials also demolished over 100 shops in Township area. All these operations were conducted in coordination with Gulberg, Nishtar, Samanabad and Iqbal Town zones.

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In separate raids, the district administration also conducted operations against quacks in the provincial capital. Raiwind Assistant Commissioner Adnan Badar sealed two homeopathic clinics for prescribing allopathic medicine to patients. Badar also raided Al-Shifa Medical Centre and did not find any qualified medical doctor. The medical centre was being run by quacks. The administration shifted two maternity patients to a nearby regional health center.

Badar referred both quacks’ clinics to the Punjab Healthcare Commission for further legal action. He announced that the district administration would continue operations against quacks in the provincial capital.

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The district administration also conducted operations against profiteers. It registered cases and arrested 35 traders for overcharging. The price control magistrate also announced on-the-spot punishment to seven traders and put them behind bars. District administration officials imposed a total of more than Rs56,000 in fines on profiteers.

Lahore DC Saleha Saeed said the district administration had launched a crackdown against profiteers and would not spare anyone who was fleecing common citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2019.