LAHORE: The Planning & Development Department (P&D) Punjab and Local Government & Community Development (LGCD) Department Punjab has approved a sum of Rs 150 million for the immediate repair and maintenance of the dilapidating buildings inside the Walled City, whereas in the first quarter an amount of Rs 50 million will be released to Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) soon, local media reports have informed.
The Honourable Justice Ali Akbar Qureshi of the Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the immediate release of the funds to strengthen the structures, houses and derelict buildings of the Walled City to avoid any unpleasant scenarios during the monsoon season or otherwise.
The judge had previously instructed WCLA to take strict actions against the illegal constructions and encroachments inside the walled city of Lahore upon which the Building Control Department of WCLA had actively started the demolition and sealing of various illegal properties.
Sources informed that there were several dangerous buildings inside the Walled City of Lahore which were being demolished by the owners and were converted into commercial plazas and shops. Sources added that the underprivileged residents of the Walled City had no other option than to sell their property to the land mafia or plaza owners as the residents were unable to manage the repairs on their own.
The commercial zones were taking over the residential units and high heritage areas like Bhatti, Lohari, Mochi and Taxali were being rapidly changed into commercial hubs, thus erasing the original historic buildings.
According to the WCLA Conservation & Planning Director Najamus Saquib the repairs and maintenance works would be carried out as per the Building Bylaws of WCLA.
He emphasised that the WCLA was working to limit the commercialisation inside the Walled City and the newly approved Master Conservation & Re-Development Plan (MCRP) of WCLA was of immense value and importance to achieve their goals.
