LDA launches operation against illegal constructions, fee defaulters.

LAHORE -- The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has launched an operation in the city to control illegal constructions and ensure 100pc recovery of commercialisation fee from the defaulters.

'The objective of the operation is not only to stop the buildings (both residential and commercial) being constructed without maps approval from the LDA and ensure 100pc recovery from the commercialisation fee defaulters but also to keep the city's architecture well managed. It is also aimed at helping the government overcome environmental issues contributed by the haphazard constructions,' LDA Chief Town Planner Shakil Anjum Minhas told Dawn on Monday.

'Such operations also force the people to get the maps of their buildings approved by paying the fee. It also brings the people in the tax net, leading to increase in the revenue,' he added.

The operation was launched recently under the teams representing various zones of the town planning wing.

A report said the town planning (Zone-III) demolished several buildings in Gulberg, Garden Town and Model Town from June 15 to date. The plots on which the buildings were demolished partially or completely were situated in Model Town (Extension), Garden Town and Gulberg II. Two buildings were razed on the Peco Road. In Gulberg, several buildings, including some private schools and colleges, were also sealed. Moreover, illegally built structures in Gulberg-II were also demolished.

In other operations on the Multan Road, Iqbal Town, Mustafa Town and Sabzazar, the illegally-built structures, including shops, were demolished partially or completely. Similarly, some buildings, including one of a salon and a restaurant, were sealed in these localities. Around 20 illegally-built structures were demolished in another operation in the...