LAHORE, Jan 20: The authorities concerned are reportedly making a Rs110 million plan for restoring the “original look” of three main colonial structures and the Mughal era Anarkali’s Tomb in the Civil Secretariat. Interestingly, the central building which is called the chief secretary's block has already undergone major “restructuring” since the formulation of the PML-N government early last year.

Officials alleged that the approval of the plans would legalise the money already spent mainly on the central block. “Everything here has been done mostly on the verbal promise of payments,” they alleged.

The estimates were being separately made for the central building, the additional chief secretary's block, the welfare block and the tomb, sources claimed on Sunday.

The largest amount, Rs43 million, was being proposed for the main block, they claimed, adding it was going to be approved by January 25.

Offices, utility structures like kitchens and washrooms, the National Bank premises and the staff's union offices on the right and the left sides and at the rear of the central block have been demolished since long to recreate a pillared corridor.

The repairs of the block that synchronised the demolition process had so far cost more than Rs3 million but again without any formal approval, the source claimed.

He said the contractors repairing the building and constructing pillars in the original design were spending their own money as it was promised they would be paid afterwards.

He said the Rs43 million plan, which would legalise all the money spent so far, included construction of nearly 35 pillars all around the main building.

Sources said the estimated cost for the additional chief secretary's block was Rs10 million, and the one between it and the chief secretary's block Rs20 million. The central block too had been cleared of “unwanted” structures since long.

They said the Rs35 million plan for the Anarkali's Tomb included demolition of unwanted construction within and outside the historic structure and restoring its original look. “The scraping of its walls is beginning from Wednesday,” an official said.

Officials responsible for looking after the secretariat confirmed on the condition of anonymity that the “restructuring” had so far been done without any formal approval necessary under the law. But they said the formal plans had almost been finalised, and they would soon be submitted for approval to the authorities concerned.

They said the building plan for the chief secretary’s block was sent to the planning and development department for approval, but it was returned with the remarks that it could be approved by the officials in the secretariat themselves. “Now we are going to take it up by January 25,” an official said.

Meanwhile, the left side upper portion of the front wall of the chief secretary’s block (home secretary’s office) was demolished on Tuesday after it was found damaged by the recent rains. This forced the closure of the offices of the home, and implementation and coordination secretaries.