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LAHORE, Oct 7: The Lahore Development Authority has been directed to hold an inquiry into defective construction of the Garhi Shahu railway bridge and close it to heavy traffic till its complete repair.
District Nazim-elect Mian Amer Mahmood ordered the inquiry during the inspection of the bridge here on Friday.
He also directed the LDA officials to submit the repair estimate of Rs30 million for approval and ensure the quality of repair work.
The National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK), he said, would have to explain as to how a bridge built by it at a cost of Rs290 million in 1998 had developed cracks only within seven years whereas the bridge existing at the place previously had lasted for 150 years.
The City District Government Lahore would also proceed against the officials responsible for ignoring lapses in the construction of the bridge.
CARPET FACTORIES: District Coordination Officer Khalid Sultan on Friday ordered issuance of notices to 13 carpet factories in Tajpura to build their own sewerage system or close down.
The DCO gave the order during a visit of Tajpura in Ghaziabad Union Council in compliance with a directive of the chief minister. He was told that the sewerage system of the area had been choked by the water discharged by the factories after washing the carpets.
He directed the Lahore Development Authority chief engineer to ensure completion of the sewerage system construction in the area by November 10. A new tubewell should also be installed by Wasa and Jamal Mustafa and Bismillah Parks, which had turned into ponds, should be restored after draining the dirty water.
RAMAZAN BAZAAR: The DCO also inspected the Ramazan Bazaar at the Wafaqi Colony and checked the quality and prices of commodities at different stalls.
He was informed that prices of commodities available at the bazaar were lower than the open market. The DCO expressed displeasure over the absence of the labour department officials from the bazaar.
LCCI: Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool has said that the government believes in public-private sector cooperation for development.
Talking to a delegation of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by newly-elected President Mian Shafqat Ali, which called on him at the Governor’s House here on Friday, he said that the government and the business community should work hand in hand because the goals of development and prosperity could not be achieved without their cooperation.
He said that the government was making serious efforts for solving the problems being faced by the business community and had evolved a comprehensive strategy for infrastructure development because progress was not possible without the growth of trade and industry. Maximum attention also required to be paid to the training of skilled manpower for industrial development.
Mian Shafqat Ali said that the government should pay maximum attention to the law and order situation as investment and growth of trade and industry was not possible in society. Infastructure development was also required on a priority basis to facilitate industrial development. He also stressed the need for issuing new minining licences for boosting exports of minerals.
Chamber Senior Vice-President Abdul Basit stressed the need for construction of new dams for increasing water storage facilities for agriculture and generating hydel power for industry.
Chamber Vice-President Aftab A.Vohra said that the government should take steps for controlling menace of smuggling.
