LDA app for building plans approval

LAHORE: Mobile application prepared by the Lahore Development Authority for approval of building plans of structures will be available on Google Play Store very soon.

LDA Director General Sumair Ahmad Syed informed this to Ms. Farena Mazhar, Executive Director General Board of Investment, who called on him here on Monday. He said that in line with the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business program, different procedures were being simplified in LDA and various tasks would be performed online for facilitating the people.

He said the procedure for approving building plan had been shortened from 19 stages to only nine steps only for approving it within the minimum possible time. The intending builders could now file applications for the purpose through architects and town planners registered with LDA and the building plans could be approved by LDA within 48 hours on the recommendation of the town planners.

He said that special counters of WASA, TEPA, PLRA and other relevant departments were being set up at the one-window cell of LDA for issuance of NOCs under one roof for approval of building plans of high-rise buildings. He added that inspection of buildings for issuance of completion certificates of buildings was being outsourced for eliminating complaints regarding misuse of power by relevant staff. A smart card will be issued to property owners of LDA schemes in collaboration with NADRA and sale of properties could be made through the smart card very soon. Meanwhile, a total of 19 plots including 11 commercial, seven residential and one reserved for educational purposes were auctioned by Lahore Development Authority against a sum of Rs. 281.8 million on Monday. The open auction of plots was held at LDA Community Centre, 239-A, New Muslim Town which was participated in by 50 bidders. A tough competition was observed as the competitors enthusiastically offered their bids. Per marla base price of the plots had been estimated by the approved evaluators of the Bankers Association of Pakistan. On the other hand, following the directions of the LDA DG, staff of the Town Planning Wing demolished one structure and sealed two other buildings. Officials said an illegal commercial construction near Purana Kahna, Ferozepur Road, was demolished. Two properties near Langar Phattak and an illegal shed in Shah Jamal were sealed.

Wasa official suspended over graft: The Water and Sanitation Agency managing director Monday suspended the Iqbal Town Xen for purchasing substandard cables for the Multan Road disposal station.

The MD said that the agency had adopted a zero tolerance policy towards corruption. He said Iqbal Town Xen (O&M-I) Attique Jillani had been suspended with immediate effect and an inquiry under the PEDA Act was initiated against him.

Officials said the Xen was accused of alleged installation of substandard cables at the Multan Road disposal station.

Abid Raza, Xen Iqbal Town II, was assigned the charge of the post of till further orders.