RUDA to get record of housing schemes falling in its limits

LDA board approves amendments to land use, zoning rules

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has consented to giving to the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) the record of all housing schemes falling in its area.

He was presiding over a meeting of the governing body of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA). The record related to the approved, illegal as well as housing schemes awaiting approval in the RUDA area will be transferred.

The chief minister also approved the construction of an underpass from Babu Sabu Interchange to Ring Road Gulshan Ravi T-Junction.

He approved projects for 152 kanals of land adjacent to the IT Tower on Ferozpur Road. A hospital over 59 kanals, an IT tower on 24 kanals and four commercial buildings will be built in front. He said parking facilities should be ensured in the new projects.

It was agreed to form a committee and sub-committee to deal with LDA affairs. Amendments to the LDA Land Use Regulations, 2020 and building and zoning regulations were also approved.

The chief minister stressed that safety, security and compliance with the rules and regulations should be ensured while approving building plans.

He said the boundary wall and parking area should be marked in the maps of apartment buildings. It will be necessary to get a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the neighbours before allowing the construction of apartments, while 50 per cent green area has to be allocated on the roof.

The chief minister said parking area should also be identified before allowing new schools.

Approval was given in principle for the construction and expansion of the Dubanpura exit road and an exchange policy for the people affected by the LDA Avenue One project. A working paper for the allotment of plots in Mustafa Town as per court orders and amendments to the LDA Properties' Lease Rights Regulations, 2019 were also approved.

The board approved extension of the lease of the Fatima Memorial Hospital and the construction and extension of the LDA City link road from Ferozepur Road to Kahna Kacha. The construction of a road from the LDA City to Defence Road to Hudiara Drain Bridge link road was approved as well. The repair of Ferdowsi Street in Johar Town was also approved.

Meanwhile, an investors’ delegation led by a German firm’s CEO Carsten Wenske met the chief minister and expressed willingness to set up a waste-to-energy project in Lahore and to invest in solar panel manufacturing.

The CM said the Punjab cabinet had already approved the expression of interest for the project.

The generated electricity will be directly supplied to industrial estates and the project will be taken forward on a fast track, he said. The production cost of the electricity obtained from the waste-to-energy project will be more than 50% lower; the CM added.

He accused the previous PML-N government of not paying attention to the waste-to-energy projects.

It has also been decided to convert the street lights system to solar power under a private partnership mode. The commissioner's office, sports grounds and other institutions will also be converted to solar energy and a transmission and distribution company will be established in Punjab for the purpose, the CM stated.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2022.