LAHORE: The governing body of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has approved a proposal transferring the enforcement function (to the extent of parking lots and right of way) from the LDA’s town planning wing and handing it over to the Traffic Engineering & Transport Planning Agency (Tepa).

Under the proposal, Tepa has also been empowered to take control of the LDA’s own four major parking plazas to the extent of clearing them from any encroachment.

The decision, in this regard, was taken to help the relevant departments in ensuring the use of parking lots for the parking purpose alone by keeping them clear of any encroachment, leading to traffic congestion on the road and creating environmental and other civic issues.

“The enforcement of the building rules (to the extent of removing encroachments at parking lots, right of ways) in the LDA control areas (both public and private sector housing schemes etc) was not up to the mark allegedly on the part of the LDA’s town planning wing—the department that deals with a number of civic affairs related to building control such as approval of maps for domestic and commercial buildings, commercialization, appropriate use of parking spaces, setback areas etc,” an official source, who requested anonymity, told Dawn on Sunday.

“Since there were some issues related to encroachments in the parking areas of commercial markets and these were causing severe traffic and environment-related issues, it has been decided to engage Tepa, an agency dealing with traffic engineering and transport planning, by entrusting it with the task to deal with such issues,” the official said, adding that a proposal, in this regard, has recently been approved by the LDA’s governing body in a meeting.

According to the proposal, Tepa, an LDA subsidiary, is the authority that issues NOCs for parking spaces by executing agreements of commercial, apartment buildings, etc., as a mandatory requirement for the approval of building plans under the provisions contained in the LDA building & zoning regulations, 2019. “It has been observed that severe violations have been reported vis-à-vis misuse of parking areas and non-provision of parking spaces for vehicles by the owners/developers,” reads the proposal approved by the body.

It says that Tepa is not empowered to take action for the enforcement of parking agreements due to the non-availability of enforcement rights. In the presence of such anomalies, neither town planning nor any other concerned authority is taking proper actions against parking violations, with the reason being that the parking agreement is between Tepa and the developer/owner.

“Therefore, Tepa is unable to regulate and enforce parking agreements within the legal framework of the LDA, which hinders its capacity to impose fines, penalties, or take necessary actions such as sealing, demolition of structures at parking spaces,” it explains. The proposal also recommends the establishment of an enforcement wing in Tepa led by two directors, two deputy directors, four assistant directors, eight inspectors, and 16 gangmen.

Tepa Chief Engineer Iqrar Hussain said that, for the first time, the government has empowered the agency to keep the parking spaces, right of way, etc., clear of any encroachment and ensure their appropriate use as mentioned in the agreements.

He mentioned that the parking plazas of LDA where Tepa would exercise enforcement-related authority include D-Point Parking Plaza (Shah Aklam Market), Park and Ride Plaza (Liberty Roundabout), Parking Plaza (Liberty, near Sunfort hotel), and Parking Plaza at Moon Market, Iqbal Town.

“The idea to give enforcement rights to Tepa was discussed some time ago in various meetings presided over by the Lahore Commissioner/LDA Director General Muhammad Ali Randhawa. After detailed deliberations, it was decided to place a proposal before the LDA governing body. Finally, it approved this proposal,” the Tepa chief explained, adding that TEPA management is expecting a massive rise in its income in the ongoing fiscal year.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2023