LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has been allowed to develop housing schemes at district headquarters of Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib on the model of LDA City housing project being executed at the provincial capital.

The authority has also been allowed to establish field offices at the aforementioned districts so as to plan, design, and develop housing schemes, Dawn has learnt.

“The core objectives behind this proposal are not only to provide good and affordable housing services but also to increase revenue for sustainability of the LDA, which needs billions of rupees annually for payment of salaries to thousands of employees, infrastructure development, and various other expenses,” an official source said,

“The objectives also include reducing increasing population pressure on Lahore by developing well-planned housing schemes in these districts.

“The housing schemes would be developed on the pattern of an LDA city,” he added, “for which the land was acquired from the landowners by giving them developed plots, and the development is being carried out on modern designs (underground electricity, wide roads, grid stations, stadiums, access to major city roads, etc.).

According to the minutes of a recent meeting of the LDA governing body, the jurisdiction of the LDA was enhanced up to Lahore division in 2013 by the Punjab government, and the authority exercised functions of master planning, land use conversion, and approval of private housing schemes in the districts of Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib. Since the LDA claims to have completed various projects already in these districts, the recent approval of the Lahore Division Master Plan 2050 is a major task accomplished by the authority to ensure planned development, welfare of general public, and the enhancement of business and employment opportunities in Lahore.

Under section 6 (3) (i) of LDA act, the authority may prepare, implement, and enforce schemes for environmental improvements, housing, urban renewal etc. The authority has approved a number of private housing schemes in these districts.

“But it has not launched any public sector housing schemes in the districts other than Lahore which is a dire need in these cities to prove the authority’s worth and ensure balance in the market in housing sector,” explains the minutes while quoting a working paper submitted before the governing body in the meeting for approval.

The minutes said in order to regulate the real estate market, reduce pressure on Lahore, and provide decent housing in these districts, it would be appropriate that LDA also develop housing schemes in the districts as per their requirements. A successful model of the LDA city housing scheme for land procurement can be used. And initially, one scheme would be planned, designed, and developed, preferably at these districts’ headquarters.

“In order to implement the proposals, it is appropriate to establish field offices at these districts,” the minutes, quoting the body as according approval on the proposal seeking development of housing schemes and field offices.

INSPECTION: Caretaker Provincial Minister for Excise, Taxation, Communication and Works Bilal Afzal visited the site of Kalma Chowk Underpass remodeling project on Monday.

Accompanied by Lahore Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, the minister inspected various sites of the project in a bid to assess the pace of work.

“To provide maximum relief to the public is our utmost priority, and the CM has a clear vision on this,” the minister said while speaking on the occasion. “I have directed all the departments concerned to work together for the timely completion of this project,” he said, adding the project will change the development landscape of Lahore.

He said he would review the pace of work after every three days. On this occasion, Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, while sharing his thoughts said the CM is very keen on the timely completion of this project to minimize the hindrance in the daily commute of citizens of Lahore.

“The development pace is satisfactory, and I have high hopes that it will be completed in the stipulated time,” he hoped.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2023