LAHORE - The LDA’s Geographical Information System, introduced to prevent tampering of residential and commercial plots, is taking too long to meet its goals despite a lapse of one and half year.

Last year, the Lahore Development Authority under its Master Planning and Regulatory project started the GIS for mapping of Lahore. Six societies including Johar Town, Mustafa Town, Gulshan Ravi, Sabzazar, Gulberg, and Iqbal Town were selected in the first phase, while the land record of other 53 housing schemes in next phases.

Johar Town was finalised for the pilot project which was supposed to be replicated in other housing schemes. There are 23,000 thousands plots in Johar Town alone, and over 0.1 million files need to be computerised.

“Against our expectations, we could not cope up with required speed for the project. Among a number of problems, the non-corporation of relevant authorities in providing land records is on top of the list,” said Beenish Fatima, Additional Director General (ADG-Housing) and team leader Record Sifting Cell.

However, she told The Nation that they were very much aware about the importance of the project which would defiantly be beneficial for the buyers of plots. “This project will be completed by April 2017,” she added.

Lahore witnessed a huge influx of people coming from all over the country. In the wake of rapid urbanisation, a number of private housing schemes have been developed.

Through this project, the LDA will identify and record the data of housing schemes which includes their maps, proposed plans, and data of existing housing schemes synchronised with high resolution satellite imagery.

According to LDA Director (Computer Services) Abdul Basit, the GIS mapping of Johar Town will be completed within two months. “The User Acceptance Testing (UET) of Johar Town mapping is done. We will now go for other housing schemes,” he added.

District govt limits finalised

The provincial transition team headed by the Additional Chief Secretary Shumail Khwaja has devised parameters regarding limits of the district governments and establishment of health and education authorities.

As per the new draft law, in Lahore Lord Mayor will be the head of the Lahore metropolitan corporation, mayors and deputy mayors of municipal corporations in nine divisional headquarters, chairmen of 25 municipal committees and in districts will replace the existing 2001 Punjab Local Government Ordinance 2001.

The commissioner offices will continue work while DCOs will be replaced by the Deputy commissioners.

Moreover, EDO F&P and EDO Community development seats will be abolished and chief officers will be posted in the district setups.

Moreover, service rules and government rules of business for government employees working in the new offices have been finalized. The Punjab government has decided to issue Rs 650 m to union councils.

ACS directed the Local government department to finalize Interim Finance Commission Award by 15 August so that it could be forwarded to the CM Punjab for approval.