LAHORE: The governing body of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) on Thursday approved construction of an underpass at Firdous market (Gulberg) intersection.
The body also accorded administrative approval to the release of funds amounting to Rs1.76 billion in this regard. The 540 meters long dual carriageway underpass will permanently end the traffic congestion at the intersection, easing vehicular movement from Centre Point to Cavalry Ground, MM Alam Road and Firdous market.
In a meeting presided over by the LDA Vice Chairman S.M Imran and attended by DG Sumair Ahmad Syed and other members, the participants were told that the total cost of the project also included the price of seven kanal private land to be acquired by the LDA. However, the project wouldn’t affect any major structure at this intersection.
The authority also approved change in the roads design of the LDA City housing project. It also accorded approval to abolish the mega project allowance that would now be used for bringing down development charges to be paid by the plot file holders. The body also approved to change the designation of data entry operator into junior computer operator in view of the government notification.
The authority also put approval for the revised cost of the walk and shop arena (Johar Town) project on hold and referred the matter to the scrutiny committee.
HOUSING: The Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department on Thursday sought implementation of MIS Dashboard reporting system to monitor officials’ visits to the development schemes in the province.
“During the review of visits paid by the field staff on the Dashboard, the HUD & PHED secretary found a dubious report. Upon further checking on the software, it was found out that the sub-engineer, PHED Shujabad division, Multan uploaded 33 visit reports in a single day and he uploaded 10 pictures of the same scheme with different angles and claimed to have visited 33 different schemes in just one day,” reads a press release. Resultantly the department placed him under suspension immediately.
It said Secretary Nadeem Mehboob ordered to implement the MIS dashboard reporting system in true letter and spirit for effective monitoring of the staff.
PIEDMC: The Punjab Industrial Estate Development Management Company’s board of directors on Thursday approved the lease deed agreement with the National Transmission & Despatch Company for the construction of one 220/132 KV grid station at Sundar Industrial Estate which will resolve the shortage of electricity at the estate, according to a spokesman.
Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2020