LAHORE: Keeping in view the environmental impact assessment reports submitted by the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) and Lahore Development Authority (LDA), the Punjab’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to hold public hearings on the Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project and LDA City Naya Pakistan Apartment project to receive objections, suggestions etc from the public at large in this regard.

The public hearings on the EIAs of RUDA and LDA would be held on Feb 21 and 22, respectively.

“Participation of a huge number of people, especially those whose land is being acquired for the Ravi project, is expected in the hearing scheduled for Feb 21 at Bangla Babakwal, Rest House, Irrigation Department, Near Kala Khatai Road, Tehsil Ferozewala (Sheikhupura),” an official source told Dawn.

“Let’s see what happens on Feb 21 as the affectees, especially the farmers, are staging rallies these days against the acquisition of their land.

“RUDA has already provided copies of the project EIA for the study of public at large at it’s the EPA library, National Hockey Stadium, Office of Deputy Director (Environment) and the project head office (51 Gurumangat Road, N-Block, Gulberg II,” the official said.

On the other hand, the LDA has also provided copies of the project’s EIA for the citizens and stakeholders at three different locations. The report has been made available at the office of the EPA (Hockey Stadium), office of the Deputy Director (EPA) and the office of the Chief Engineer, LDA (Johar Town).

“Public hearing about the EIA report will be held at LDA Sports Complex, Johar Town on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 11 am. All the citizens and stakeholders have been invited for the public hearing,” said a spokesman for the LDA.

CONFERENCE: A pre-bid conference of the contractors, interested in construction of 4,000 units under the LDA City Naya Pakistan Apartments scheme, will be held on Monday (tomorrow) at the committee room of Engineering Wing, LDA Office Johar Town.

Tenders for this project will be opened on Feb 10, 13, 17 and 20, according to a spokesman.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2021