LDA demolishes five illegal structures

DG warns of strict action against encroachments

LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) demolished five illegal buildings and sealed another three in its anti-encroachment drive on Monday.

Following the directives of LDA Director General Sumair Ahmad Syed, Town Planning Wing officials conducted an operation in Johar Town, Allama Iqbal Town, Mustafa Town and Samanzar areas. During the operation, LDA officials demolished a restaurant constructed illegally on plot 37-B, Johar Town. In a separate raid, the LDA officials removed temporary structures and boundary wall in Gulshan Mustafa Scheme and Samanzar.

The LDA officials also demolished an illegally constructed workshop in Khyber Block, Allama Iqbal Town and a restaurant in Mustafa Town for violation of building rules. The authority also sealed three commercial buildings in Gulshan Block, Kashmir Block and Chenab Block of Allama Iqbal Town.

LDA to construct new road for city project

The LDA officials partially demolished an illegally constructed commercial building adjacent to a marriage hall and sealed illegal building of a real estate consultant. Another building was partially demolished near Kahna Stop and shutters of two illegal buildings removed in the same neighbourhood. The LDA team also refilled the excavated area for a basement besides demolishing various shops and buildings on Defence Road.

On the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, the government has constituted anti-encroachment committees in all 36 districts of the province to monitor the ongoing operation against land grabbers and encroachments.

The deputy commissioners were nominated as heads of these committees with the DPO, CPO, a district officer of the local government department and senior officers of development authorities concerned as their members.

The chief minister said local lawmakers, civil society members and notables should also be included in the committees to help curb the illegal activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2020.