KARACHI: Sindh Building Control Authority has imposed a ban on construction of more than ground-plus-two floors on 120 square yards residential plots in five towns of the city.

A notification issued by SBCA director general Agha Maqsood Abbas on Tuesday said the five towns where the ban had been imposed were Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Gulberg, North Nazimabad, Liaquatabad and Jamshed towns.

Earlier, the SBCA chief had ordered town building controllers to ensure that no illegal construction was carried out in their respective areas and to demolish illegal constructions wherever detected.

But despite demolitions, unscrupulous elements and builders’ mafia got the plans approved for the houses but violating the approved plans illegally constructed additional floors and portions in the bungalows, said a statement.

Sources said that construction of additional floors and portions on 120 square yards residential plots increased the population density, which in turn put an additional burden on the already overstretched infrastructure, including water and sewerage network, that led to its collapse, causing hardships to the area residents.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2018