LAHORE, Aug 4: The Lahore Development Authority and town municipal administrations have failed to check proliferation of ‘illegal’ housing societies despite launching campaigns against such constructions.

These schemes are being launched through land sub-divisions, where commercial buildings also spring up in violation of rules.

The LDA routinely razes illegal structures and warns the public against entering into any deal (of plots) in illegal housing societies. It had recently declared 73 housing schemes illegal in various parts of the city.

Ferozepur Road, a city’s central artery that was included in the controlled area of the LDA in November 2010, has seen mushroom growth of such constructions by developers and builders who raise structures in a short span of time. Mostly, the developers (owners) are well informed about the rules and regulations but they still carry out their businesses without fear of the LDA or the respective TMA.

“I have developed two small schemes (land sub-divisions), first measuring 10-kanal and five-marla and the second six-kanal and five-marla,” said Shabbir Ahmad, owner of the sub-divisions situated about 28 kilometres on Ferozepur Road. He said the LDA or TMA didn’t approve such small schemes under the law so he had developed these without any process.

“One can’t declare this a residential scheme. This is a division of land or conversion of small pieces of land into residential plots. Since the LDA or towns approve the schemes measuring 100 kanals or above under the relevant laws, I didn’t apply for the approval of my land sub-divisions,” he claimed.

Asked about the issues being faced by the dwellers in such schemes, he claimed he would ensure availability of electricity, gas and other utilities before constructing houses. “And before construction, the owners of plots will duly apply for map approval in the LDA or TMA. This process will legalise these schemes,” he justified his project.

As for the recent construction of a two-storey commercial building in his scheme/sub-division-1, he claimed he had sold a plot to a person namely, Sabir who constructed the building there after getting its map approved by the LDA.

Muhammad Sabir claimed he had built the building according to rules. “As soon as I started construction, some LDA people visited the site and demolished the wall. I immediately applied for the map and resumed construction,” he said and added the approved map was in the possession of his brother.

“I have the copy of fee challan that was deposited with the bank against approval of the building map,” he said.

A senior LDA town planning official held the town municipal administrations responsible for the growth of the illegal housing schemes and buildings. “Ferozepur Road came under the control of the LDA in 2011. During survey we found many buildings and schemes illegally developed and demolished them,” said the official who wished anonymity.

He said according to laws the TMA could approve a scheme measuring up to 100 kanals and those above were approved by the LDA. About the development of small schemes over 20 or 25-kanal tracts, the official said: “I think the relevant laws must be amended and the control of such schemes should be handed over to the LDA which can technically handle such issues.”

After taking over Ferozepur and Multan roads, he said, the officials found most of such violations at stretches between Qainchi and Gajjumata and Yatim Khana and Thokar Niaz Baig. He said these remained unchecked by the TMAs or Municipal Corporation for a long time.

He said the TMA created hurdles in construction of the road linking Valencia Town (Defence Road) with Khyaban-i-Jinnah. “The LDA started construction of this road some time ago but on the way found a residential scheme developed after getting approval from the TMA. We couldn’t go ahead because of the construction of houses in this scheme,” he said.

“Residents of Valencia Town have been using Wapda Town to reach their destinations in the city,” the official said.

Nishtar Town Administrator Chaudhry Mumtaz told Dawn some portion of Ferozepur Road came under their jurisdiction and some other part was managed by the LDA. He couldn’t give exact measurements or rules.

“Our building inspectors and town planning officials visit the road regularly and take action whenever they receive any complaint,” he claimed.