LAHORE: In a significant crackdown on the land mafia, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) successfully reclaimed over 75 kanals of commercial land, valued at billions of rupees, this past Thursday.
The operation, spearheaded by LDA DG Muhammad Ali Randhawa, CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamiana, and LDA Director Housing VII Moazzam Rashid, took place in Johar Town at PIA Road. The objective was to retrieve both government and privately-owned land that had been illegally occupied. Notably, the land grabbers had constructed shops, auction houses, and other permanent structures on the seized properties.
This decisive action was taken following directives from Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who intervened after receiving pleas from the affected parties to liberate the lands from the clutches of the mafia.
In related news, a subsequent meeting led by LDA DG Mohammad Ali Randhawa saw the LDA Development sub-committee entrusting TEPA with the responsibility of refurbishing, repairing, and maintaining the city’s underpasses, flyovers, and pedestrian bridges.
This extensive project is slated for completion within the next three months. Randhawa emphasized that all underpasses in Lahore would undergo simultaneous renovations. He also highlighted the potential role of the private sector in aiding these renovation efforts.
Furthermore, the committee greenlit the expansion of 135 rush squares (Chowks) across 21 traffic police sectors as part of an anti-smog initiative. This plan encompasses the enlargement and redesigning of squares, along with the construction of slip roads.
Randhawa also mentioned LDA’s commitment to providing jersey barriers to the traffic police, aiming to enhance traffic flow and combat smog across the city.
Other development plans discussed in the meeting included the revamping of College Road, the establishment of a recreational and indoor sports facility at the LDA Avenue One Community Center, and road expansion projects near Data Darbar and Bhati Chowk to improve traffic flow.
