LDA completes various uplift projects during 2019.

LAHORE -- Lahore Development Authority (LDA) completed various development projects during 2019 besides introducing institutional reforms and updating the relevant laws for meeting present day requirements. The LDA arranged the land required for allocating plots to all the 9,000 plus file holders of LDA City project in a short span of nine months, after the Supreme Court of Pakistan had passed orders in this regard. Development works were now in progress at a cost of Rs 3 billion in Phase-1 of LDA City, named as Jinnah Sector, spreading over 13,000 kanals of land. Plot numbers had been allocated to all the 9,712 file holders through computerized balloting with the help of Punjab Information Technology Board on November 30. The issue of handing over possession of plots to more than 2,000 allottees of LDA Avenue-1 had been lingering on for the past 16 years due to litigation and dispute over land with six private housing schemes in the areas.

The governing body of Lahore Development Authority decided to settle the issue through negotiation with these schemes and offered 30 percent exemption in lieu of the land to be surrendered by them.

Three out of six schemes had so far accepted this offer resulting in availability of 623 plots for giving possession to the relevant allottees. Negotiations were underway with the other schemes as well for making available plots for the remaining allottees. Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project had been initiated in 2015, whereas, the LDA had completed the civil work for the train's operation during 2019 and made relevant arrangements for the trial run of the train by Punjab Mass Transit Authority. Repair, rehabilitation and uplifting of 46 roads in the city was carried out at a cost of Rs 600 million.

Project for improvement, beautification, traffic management and horticulture work at Thokar Niaz Baig junction, started on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar for improving the outlook of entry and exit points of Lahore, was now in final stages. Work for construction of entry gate of Lahore named as 'Bab-e-Lahore' at Multan Road near Thokar Niaz Baig has been started and the project would be completed at a cost of Rs 250 million. In line with the...