NPHP: LDA to build 10k homes for employees

Authority will automate issuance of fee challan forms

LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) will construct 10,000 residential apartments for employees of the authority and its subsidiaries under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Naya Pakistan Housing Programme (NPHP).

Presiding over the steering committee meeting constituted by the LDA Governing Body, LDA Additional Director General Urban Planning Rana Tikka Khan on Monday highlighted that the authority has already selected land for construction of apartments for 9,000 employees of the authority and its subsidiaries, including the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (TEPA).

He said the authority was about to complete the necessary planning for starting construction over an area of 2,000 kanals in LDA City. The authority is carrying out scrutiny of applications submitted by financial consultants for the project.

It was revealed in the meeting that the authority would construct apartments of three sizes and 10,000 units will be constructed during the next two years. The authority will float international tenders for the project to acquire services of international construction companies along with the latest construction techniques and technology.

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The meeting was attended by officials of the engineering, metropolitan planning, town planning and other wings concerned. The meeting decided to include four more members, including the LDA additional director general headquarters and chief engineer, the WASA director administration and TEPA director administration and finance, in the committee.

Meanwhile, LDA Director General Sumair Ahmad Syed said that as per guidelines of the World Bank for ease of doing business, the authority is launching an online system for building plans and construction approvals in its jurisdiction. As per a World Bank target, the authority is also simplifying approval procedure for quick disposal of applications, he informed the participants of a meeeting.

He pointed out that the authority has decided to outsource inspections to the private sector for the issuance of completion certificate to residential and commercial buildings. The authority will also automate the issuance of fee challan forms for payments for building plans and completion certificates.

The LDA DG further highlighted that besides automation, the authority has planned to construct a separate building for its one window cell. Considering a huge number of applications and undue hassles, the authority will provide all LDA services under one roof.

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LDA Director Coordination Kamran Pervaiz told the meeting’s participants that the authority has revised LDA Building and Zoning Regulations 2019 as per guidelines of the ease of doing a business programme of the World Bank. The authority has decided to outsource inspections of all residential and up to 50 feet tall commercial and industrial buildings to the private sector. Registered architects and town planners will perform this function and submit all required documents to the authority for issuance of completion certificates. After scrutiny of the submitted documents, the authority will issue certificates as per law.

The Board of Investment’s Executive Director General Farina Mazhar was also present on the occasion.

On the other hand, LDA Estate Management Directorate officials retrieved two kanals and 10 marlas land from illegal occupants on Monday. In a raid, LDA officials demolished the boundary wall of 10-marla plot in Sabzazar area and removed second-hand furniture illegally placed on a one-kanal plot. LDA officials also removed boundary walls of two 10-marla plots.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2020.