Govt’s high-rise plan faces hiccups

Builders ignore low-income groups, use premises commercially post-approval

LAHORE:

The government may face hurdles in achieving the objectives of its plan to promote the construction of high-rise buildings because of poor planning, decisions taken in disregard to the ground realities and preferential treatment with those who build expensive apartments over the low income groups.

According to sources, in more than 90 per cent cases, people have taken advantage of the government policy by getting approved the maps and using the places for commercial activities rather than the declared goals of the initiative.

The sources said less than 8% of the applicants had sought approval of major high-rise buildings and work has been started on about half of them.

Despite observing the situation, LDA officials have failed to stop the construction being done contrary to the policy and an impression is being given to the government that the scheme is progressing well, the sources added.

Meanwhile, housing schemes are being built an agricultural land across Punjab, including Lahore.

The housing department, LDA and other development authorities have prepared plans to construct high-rise buildings in view of the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to protect the agriculture sector from losses and meet the housing needs in urban areas.

In one year, the LDA has approved 250 maps for such buildings.

However, the owners of 230 buildings have got approved the maps of three to five-storey structures under the policy and begun their commercial use by constructing shops on the ground floor. The rest of the buildings are being used as offices or hostels instead of accommodation.

The LDA approved 28 maps of high-rise buildings with over 100 floors. Work has started on less than 50% of the approved buildings, which are to be built in Gulberg, Ferozepur Road, Johar Town and Garden Town areas.

Read: Builders ready for high-rise projects

The LDA is failing to stop the use of the buildings contrary to the government policy.

One of the major impediments in implementing the policy or high-rise buildings is the culture of Lahore and other areas of Punjab as the people prefer separate houses.

Among the private investors, luxury apartments are being given priority over low-cost ones.

Work is under way to one to two per cent apartments in Lahore, which will be centrally air conditioned with a very high price that is not affordable for most of the people.

A house of five marlas is available for Rs5 million in the city but apartments are not available.

The policy also allowed multi-storey buildings of 10-marla houses, due to which complaints regarding privacy of residents of the neighbourhoods are being received after four to five-storey buildings have been constructed in densely populated areas. The LDA is yet to establish a system to address such complaints.

When contacted, LDA Vice Chairperson S M Imran said progress was being made towards achieving the targets set by the federal and provincial governments for high-rise buildings. “Investors are in the field to build high-rise buildings across Punjab, including Lahore. Various groups are building high-rise apartments in Lahore,” he added.

He said the prime minister had inaugurated a scheme to build an apartment complex in Gajumata. Work is also under way on other projects. “Work has begun to build high-rise buildings in both the private and public sectors, which is our success.”

Imran said building by-laws had been amended for investment and strict legal action would be taken over violations in this regard.

He said LDA officials had been instructed to look into the misuse of maps approved in accordance with the High Rise Building Policy and take action against those violating the provisions.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2021.