LAHORE: In a surprise visit to the under-construction Firdaus Market underpass, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar removed on Tuesday the Lahore Development Authority’s chief engineer and issued show-cause notice to the director general and the additional director general for not completing the project as per timeline.

The CM took the action after shopkeepers and traders lodged various complaints, telling him the problems they have been facing due to delay in completion of the underpass.

“CM Sardar Usman Buzdar paid a surprise visit to Firdous Market underpass on Monday night and expressed displeasure over the delay. Taking action on the complaints of traders, he issued orders to remove chief engineer from the post and issued show-cause notices to the DG and Additional DG of the LDA,” reads a press release issued on Tuesday.

The chief minister sought a final deadline / date for the project completion, directing the officers concerned to speed up the work.

“Delay will not be tolerated as thousands of citizens will benefit from this project,” the CM warned. He directed the project director to immediately solve the traders’ problems related to filth and stagnant water.

While showing displeasure over the insensitivity of the LDA and Wasa, the CM said: “Should the CM personally supervise each and everything? I am deeply saddened over officers’ impassiveness towards the general public,” he deplored.

On the other hand, sources said the action was a result of misguiding the Punjab government by someone regarding various issues the project has been facing for the last couple of months.

“There are various reasons that caused delay in completion. These included delay in announcement of the award of land acquired for the project allegedly on the part of revenue department, slow pace of work by the contractor, delay in releasing payments to the contractor, procedural bottlenecks, rising public complaints,” a source explained.

“I think that identifying and resolving the actual issues, instead of removing chief engineer and issuing show- cause notices to LDA DG and ADG, should have been the priority of the Punjab government at this time,” he added.

Meanwhile, the residents of Gulberg, especially those residing on both sides of the road (Centre Point to Cavalry / Friduas flyover), have expressed grave concern over massive delay in completion of the project. “For the last 5/6 days we are living in a hotel due to non-supply of water and gas. It happened after the lines (sewerage, water supply, gas) were cut due to massive digging and for the purpose of laying new lines,” deplored Mrs Rafique, a resident.

“Since this project has really put all of us (most of elderly people) in trouble, it must be completed with restoration of all services for the residents,” she demanded.

LWMC: The Lahore Waste Management Company on Tuesday claimed to have lifted and dumped 8,647 tons of solid waste so far in the ongoing zero-waste drive launched a couple of days before in the city.

According to a spokesman a special cleanliness drive is currently under way in several parts of the city. “The people should dial our helpline 1139 or use mobile based application Clean Lahore for prompt redress of their waste related complaints,” said a spokesman for the company.

ACTION: Various teams in city on Tuesday demolished four buildings / structures for being built unlawfully.

The teams also sealed three premises for non-payment of commercialization fee. They also retrieved a state owned plot in Sabzazar scheme, according to a spokesman.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2020