LAHORE: The governing body of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has decided to pay the price of land for the twin tower project on Jail Road this year and start construction next year.

Adviser to the Chief Minister and member of the governing body Kh.Ahmad Hassan chaired the meeting attended by elected people and senior officials of LDA.

The meeting decided to constitute an 11-member executive committee headed by LDA DG to operationalize the sports complexes being constructed in 11 National Assembly constituencies in Lahore district.

The committee would be responsible for running these complexes on a self-sustainability basis and looking after overall operational, human resource and financial management issues.

The meeting decided to restore facility of free water to widows of deceased Wasa employees, which had earlier been withdrawn, on humanitarian grounds as per previous practice. It also delegated powers pertaining to hiring, posting and transfer up to Grade 19 in Wasa to the agency managing director to improve its official business.

The governing body gave a go ahead for widening and improvement of Barkat Ali Road, from Jagawar Chowk, Khyban-e-Firdousi to Jutt Chowk, Johar Town, at a cost of Rs 53.95 million. Improvement and carpeting of Shan Bhatti Road from Southern Bypass, Johar Town, to Ali Town on Raiwind Road will be under taken at a cost Rs 47.115 million.

Repair of road cuts made by Wasa in Ayyubia Market, New Muslim Town, will cost Rs 24.85 million. Similarly rehabilitation of roads in LDA Schemes like M.A Johar Town, Gulberg and Allama Iqbal Town will cost Rs 80 million.

The governing body approved the latest layout plan of LDA City housing scheme spread over 58,234 kanal and allowed adjustment of scattered industries falling within the scheme at one site adjacent to Kahna Kacha Road. It decided to allow minor adjustment in layout plan with the approval of LDA DG.

The meeting reduced the condition of right of way (ROW) to 60 feet for installation of petrol pumps and CNG filling stations in the districts of Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib. However, the minimum ROW of 80 feet would remain intact in Lahore district.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2018