LDA wasting money on reconstructing 'new roads' despite hard times.

LAHORE -- Despite the severe financial crunch, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) is wasting huge public money on reconstruction of various roads that were built about a year ago in Johar Town.

Since the official sources see 'vested interests,' allegedly on the part of LDA engineering wing behind dismantling and reconstructing the roads, Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, who also holds the charge of the office of LDA director general, has pledged to hold a probe into the matter. The ongoing construction of roads and floating of a number of tenders for several development schemes looks more problematic in view of the fact the authority is passing through a severe financial stress these days.

'I will get this issue inquired (into) in depth by an inquiry committee. And it will be done soon,' Mr Randhawa told Dawn when contacted.

At present, the LDA's urban development (engineering) wing is engaged in reconstruction of various roads in Johar Town, including the service roads (both sides) from Shadiwal Chowk to Khokhar Chowk and various stretches of Abdul Haq Road (Khokhar Chowk to Expo Centre intersection). Though the roads, especially from Shadiwal Chowk to Khokhar Chowk, were constructed a year before or so, they were rapidly dismantled in recent times in a bid to reconstruct them again with new layers of base and sub-base (stones) and compaction.

'There was no issue with this road. But suddenly the government started dismantling and reconstructing it surprisingly. The government must get this inquired into to find out why it was done to waste public money,' demanded a shopkeeper near Khokhar Chowk.

Commissioner pledges to hold probe into the matter

'It seems to be a unique case of corruption allegedly on the part of officers/officials who should face an inquiry,' he said.

Another shopkeeper criticised the LDA for wasting the public money on the roads constructed in recent months.

'These service roads were really in good condition. But uprooting and reconstructing them again is a big surprise,' he said.

A labour supervisor, present on site, stated that he didn't see any issue with the road.

'But we have to follow the orders. So, following the orders, we have started doing construction work here,' he said, confirming that the roads were in good condition and there was no need to dismantle them.

The construction of the Abdul Haq Road is also surprising as it required only patchwork at certain spots. However, it was completely dismantled...