LAHORE: Lahore Development Authority has approved two land allotments to Police Department to enhance Qurban Police Lines security as well as the Environment Protection Department in order for its establishment.
Dawn learned that the authority also approved the conversion of residential land to develop another Sabzazar graveyard.
Minutes of a recent meeting show that the LDAs governing board received a request by the police department (SSP Telecommunication), for the allotment land. The land is currently being used as a workshop by LDA under Sherpao Bridge to enhance security of Qurban Police Lines.
The land of one kanal and six marla, measuring 32 sqFt of LDA Workshop, Sherpao Bridge and measuring one kanal was considered to be allotted. At its meeting of Oct 22nd last year, the Price Assessment Committee fixed the reserve price at Rs60 million per Kanada.
Land is for Qurban Lines security. EPD head office
At its meeting on Nov 27, the allotment panel approved the allotment site to the Punjab police. The deposition cost was Rs20 million. This is 1/3rd of the reserve prices per kanal. It also recommended that the matter be placed in the upcoming authority meeting for final approval.
According to clause 7 in the allotment public utility sites of LDA Regulations 2019, the total cost for the land was Rs26.142 million. The committee asked the police department to deposit the entire amount (or 30%) of the total cost, Rs7.843 millions within 90 days after the date of allotment.
The police department did not mention the Rs6.971 Million allocation in the ADP FY2021-22. Subject land was to be paid. However, they requested to issue a revised Challan of Rs6.971 Million (first installment). The remaining Rs19.171 Million will be paid according the LDA policy. The Environment Protection Department made a request for the LDA to arrange land in 25-30 kanals to construct a Green Building to house both the EPD and its agencies. A representative from each department met with the LDA DG, and they discussed various public utility locations available in various housing plans. Finally, the EPD approved the allotment for land measuring 9.99 Kanal at Ettihad Town Raiwind Road, which is approximately 7/8km from Thokar Niaz Baig intersection.
At its July 16, 2021 meeting, Price Assessment Committee fixed the reserve price for the cited site at Rs29million per kanal. The site was later offered to the department by LDA in a Dec 13th letter, subject to approval by the competent authorities. The department finally gave written consent to allot this site at 1/3rd reserve price (Rs9.666/kanal) for the construction of Model Green Building.
Finally, the Dec 16th meeting of the allotment commission approved the case. The governing body also approved it.
The EPD headquarters have been in Nishtar Park (near Gaddafi Stadium), for many years. As time has passed, the space available for several offices has become more limited. Another aspect is that the entire area is closed off by police when cricket series begin. This is to ensure the safety of both the players and the spectators. It makes it difficult to get to the offices.
The authority also approved a plan to convert the 23 vacant 121 kanal lands to another Sabzazar burial ground. This Sabzazar housing scheme already has a graveyard that covers 84 kanal. However, it has become too narrow to allow for additional burials.
Published in Dawn, February 28th 2022