LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has planned the city’s first entertainment-cum-amusement park in Johar Town.

The authority has pre-qualified contractors for executing the Rs330 million project to be done at 140 kanals along Khayaban-i-Firdausi, Dawn has learned.

“It will be the first project of its kind that will provide entertainment at one place for the citizens of Lahore, in general, and the residents of Johar Town, in particular,” LDA Chief Engineer Habibul Haq Randhawa told Dawn on Saturday.

“For the purpose, we are completing various preparatory jobs ahead of the launch of civil works at the site.”

The park will have amusement/entertainment features for the people of all ages besides jogging, cycling tracks, a lake with boating facilities, an open gym, a barbecue area, courts of basketball, tennis and badminton courts, paint ball arena, food courts, climbing wall with storage room, mini-golf, and coffee shops, amphitheater, covered gazebos, trampoline park, service buildings (toilets etc.), go-karting, trampoline park, Iceland sitting fountains, children play area, service and pedestal bridges, cricket ground, prayer hall, skateboarding, entry gate, and security control room site area. The land and funds required for the facilities have been allocated in the plan.

According to project director Abdul Razzak Chohan, the work on the project’s initial environment examination is also ongoing.

“Currently, the initial environment examination of the project is being carried out and soon tenders will be allotted to contractors,” Mr Chohan said.

LDA Director Genberal Ahmad Aziz Tarrar paid a visit to the project site on Saturday.

“We should launch civil work on the project at our earliest,” the DG told the staff.

Mr Chohan said a business model to run the park was also under preparation.

DEMOLITION: The staff of the LDA’s Town Planning Wing demolished on Saturday five illegal structures and sealed another four during operations in Gulberg, Shadman, Muslim Town, Garden Town and Jail Road.

According to a spokesman, illegal buildings on plot No 19-B Muslim Town, plot No 934 Shadman, Nabbi Pura village, Gurumangat Road and Barkat Market, were demolished partially or completely.

Moreover, various buildings on Jail Road, Industrial Area (Gulberg) and other areas were sealed.

LESCO: Various teams of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) on Saturday launched search operations in various parts of Kot Khwaja Saeed and charged 22,000 units to several power thieves, according to a spokesman.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2020