LAHORE - The Parks and Horticulture Authority has delayed its much hyped action plan to transform the provincial capital into a city of greenery and gardens despite allocation of Rs243 million for the implementation of the plan. According to sources, a series of change of command in PHA within a period of seven months is the major reason behind delaying of the action plan devised to develop two biggest parks in Johar Town and near River Ravi along with three other parks and 14 play grounds in various localities of the city. At the time of action plan, PHA Director General Rao Iftikhar was in action. But the government soon replaced him with Nadeem Aslam Ch owing to some reasons. Then soon Raheel Ahmed Saddiqui was appointed as DG PHA. Moreover PHA Chairman Task Force for Parks and Horticulture Mustafa Kamal was also replaced by PML-N MPA Mohsin Latif due to unknown reasons. An official in the PHA seeking anonymity told The Nation that frequent change of command had affected the performance of the authority. Unless a person was allowed to work for a long period, no plan could ever be executed, he said. When the heads of an organisation are rapidly changed, entire hierarchy is disturbed which leads to decline in the efficiency of an authority, he maintained. As per action plan, two big parks spreading over 1000 kanals in Johar Town and 480 kanals along with River Ravi were to be developed. While three other parks and 14 play grounds were also to be developed besides rehabilitating playgrounds and parks, that had been left unattended and neglected. The PHA is already managing 1139 big and small size parks in the city. The Punjab government had decided to hire international consultants from Singapore and Malaysia to make Johar Town Park a model park. With a view to monitor the action plan, the PHA has to initiate a project to get all its data regarding strength of staff, available apparatus, status of completed and ongoing works, earmarked funds, their utilisation in different heads, future projects, enquiries, performance report and other miscellaneous information computerised. 14 playgrounds that had to be developed included playground at TEVTA parks Shahdara, near petrol pump Shahdara, near Ghora Hospital Shahdara, D-I Block Gujjarpura, D-Block Sabzazar Scheme, Ittefaq Hospital Model Town, D-II Block Johar Town, E Block Gulshan Ravi, Kashmir Block Iqbal Town, Mehran Block Iqbal Town, Chenab Block Iqbal Town and at new Chouburgi Township. Three parks including Ladies Park, D-I Sector Green Town, Railway line Park near Jahangirs mausoleum Shahdara. The PHA had also formed teams of gardeners for the implementation of action plan and imposed ban on all functions in 1139 parks to improve their condition. It may be recalled that the city, known for its greenery, is fast losing playgrounds and parks over the last two decades because of their excessive use for commercial activities. Two main playgrounds, known for game of cricket, have been replaced by multi-storey buildings of the Punjab Assembly and the MPA hostel. While in Scout Ground Railways colony flats have been built for employees. The Waris Road ground Mozang is in a state of dismay. Presently, the ground is being used for marriage functions instead of sports activities. Likewise, the Mochi Gate ground, also used for sports activities where many test cricketers use to play, is also in a state of neglect, while Wapda Town last bus stop playground is being used for Sunday bazaar. The same is the case with Green Town ground where Sunday bazaar has replaced the sports activities. Gulberg had playgrounds in its residential blocks but with the passage of time the main grounds have vanished and those left are being used for minor sports activities. Township playground turned into a dumping place for solid waste, generated by the marble cutters operating in the nearby residential societies.