In an astonishing turn, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has removed the maximum height limit for any building in its new commercialisation policy for 58 roads of the city located in the residential areas. According to the new policy, LDA would issue licenses for business activities on these commercial roads. The floor area limit has also been increased to facilitate the businessmen.
The condition of mandatory empty spaces alongside the commercial buildings has also been relaxed and now the space would be given according to size of plot. The limit on the maximum number of basements has also been withdrawn.
LDA claims that the relaxation was given on the special instructions from the Punjab government and after consultations with businessmen and experts. Business activities will now be allowed on main boulevards of Gulshan-e-Ravi, specified areas of Johar Town main boulevard, PIA Scheme, College Road, Multan Road (From Orphanage Square to Defence Road), Ferozpur Road (Chowngi Amar Sadhu to Soay Asal) and Tajpura Approach Road and Shadbagh main boulevard.
In Gulberg (central business district), the recognised residential schemes include Gulberg Road (Jail Road), Main Boulevard Gulberg, MM Alam Road Gulberg, specified areas of Hali Road, Link Road Main Market, Ghalib Road, Firdous Market Road, Park Road, MM Alam Road (T block), Gurumangat Road, Stadium Road Noor Jahan Highway, specific areas of Ferozepur Road, the road on the backside of Liberty market.
It is pertinent to mention that the Punjab government had been running a campaign against illegal high-rises and now LDA’s new policy is being seen as a U-Turn. Citizens have termed the move ‘political’ aiming at wooing the business community of the city. Citing the Sasti Roti Scheme, they said this was another example of the Punjab governments retreating from its own policy.
