Directorate formed for apartments project in Lahore
Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has set up a dedicated directorate for fast track execution of a project for the construction of 4,000 residential units in the LDA City Naya Pakistan Apartments.
LDA Director General Ahmed Aziz Tarar, on Monday, highlighted that the newly established ‘Directorate of Housing XII’ will function under the administrative control of the additional director general (urban planning). The new directorate will be responsible for sales, marketing and estate management of the apartments.
An officer of grade 19 will be posted as director and one of grade 18 as deputy director. In addition to this, two grade 17 officers will be posted as assistant directors in this directorate besides other requisite staff for its functioning.
Meanwhile, the development authority held a public hearing on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the scheme at Sports Complex, Johar Town.
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LDA Chief Engineer Abdul Razzaq Chauhan, Environment Department Deputy Director Faheem Naseem, Project Director Hamadul Hassan, Asian Consultant representative Arsalan Hanif and other officials concerned were present on the occasion.
Environmentalist and water affairs specialist Muhammad Riaz gave a briefing to the participants about the project. He told the participants that the design for the Naya Pakistan Apartments project had been developed with environment-friendly features.
He highlighted that 4,000 apartments will be constructed in LDA City in the first phase. “The LDA has aimed to complete construction of the apartments on fast track to overcome the shortage of housing units in the metropolis.”
The authority has already completed initial tendering process for construction of the apartments, he added. “A total of 11 contracting companies, including National Logistics Cell (NLC), Progressive International, Tetra Engineering, Yasin Brothers, Zareef Khan and Co, GPL and CAE JV, have submitted their proposals for construction of 24 blocks having 32 apartments each.”
The LDA has also obtained the provincial cabinet’s approval for the allotment procedure and financing through the Bank of Punjab for the construction. It has fixed a price of around Rs2.7 million for an apartment of 650 square feet, which can be booked on 10% down payment. The remaining cost of the apartment will be paid in easy installments, which will start after handing over of the procession of the constructed unit.
A spokesperson for the LDA highlighted that the provincial cabinet had decided to reserve 50% of the residential units for general public, 20% for provincial government employees, 10% for federal government employees and another 20% for LDA officials. The chief minister has called for reserving a special quota for journalists and lawyers as well.
Ravi Riverfront project
Meanwhile, spokesperson for Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Authority (RUDA) S M Imran disclosed that China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) had submitted their unsolicited offer for developing the Sapphire bay, Zone-3 over 2,300 acres.
In a letter addressing RUDA Chief Executive Officer Imran Ameen, a general manager of the Chinese company told the authority that his company wants to participate in the mega riverfront development project.
The CRBC representative highlighted that his company was very much interested in the project from the outset and had also prepared the feasibility report in early 2014.
The company also expressed its strong commitment to make the project a masterpiece of construction whilst expecting a quick response from RUDA on the offer, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2021.