LAHORE - The provincial government is likely to expand the limits of the Mayo Hospital, the oldest and largest hospital of the country, which is serving the humanity since 1871. According to the sources in Revenue department, a comprehensive survey encompassing an area of 52.8 acres to materialize the extension programme of the hospital has got underway. Part of the survey from Qutab ud Din Aibak Tomb near Anarkali was about to be completed soon, the sources added. Sources further told that the survey would entail estimation regarding minimum and maximum cost for acquiring of residential and commercial land adjacent to the hospital. They said that patwaris of both the circles as well as officials of Revenue and Excise Department were in close coordination for this purpose. Sources revealed that following the instructions by Chief Secretary Punjab Javed Mehmood officials were involved in preparing the lists of property located in the vicinity including houses, shops, markets and plazas. Sources said complete data of the land belonging to different federal and provincial departments, including Auqaf and Archeology besides private entities, was being collected. During the survey, they said, separate record of public and private sectors would be prepared. They maintained that the government had decided to adopt different procedures for acquiring both types of land. Sources informed that a proposal regarding the extension programme first came under discussion during the tenure of the previous government. However, it was placed in cold storage after some consultation. They said the survey got started only after the present provincial government took notice of the proposed project. Historical Mayo Hospital is located in the heart of the Metropolis and is surrounded by busy commercial and thickly populated residential areas such as famous Anarkali Bazaar, Nila Gumbad, Urdu Bazaar and the old Walled City. Meanwhile, expressing their resentment the residents of surrounding areas of the hospital have strongly lambasted the extension programme and have termed it as an injustice and animosity towards the people.