LAHORE: Despite the severe financial crunch, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) is wasting huge public money on reconstruction of various roads that were built about a year ago in Johar Town.

Since the official sources see ‘vested interests,’ allegedly on the part of LDA engineering wing behind dismantling and reconstructing the roads, Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, who also holds the charge of the office of LDA director general, has pledged to hold a probe into the matter. The ongoing construction of roads and floating of a number of tenders for several development schemes looks more problematic in view of the fact the authority is passing through a severe financial stress these days.

“I will get this issue inquired (into) in depth by an inquiry committee. And it will be done soon,” Mr Randhawa told Dawn when contacted.

At present, the LDA’s urban development (engineering) wing is engaged in reconstruction of various roads in Johar Town, including the service roads (both sides) from Shadiwal Chowk to Khokhar Chowk and various stretches of Abdul Haq Road (Khokhar Chowk to Expo Centre intersection). Though the roads, especially from Shadiwal Chowk to Khokhar Chowk, were constructed a year before or so, they were rapidly dismantled in recent times in a bid to reconstruct them again with new layers of base and sub-base (stones) and compaction.

“There was no issue with this road. But suddenly the government started dismantling and reconstructing it surprisingly. The government must get this inquired into to find out why it was done to waste public money,” demanded a shopkeeper near Khokhar Chowk.

Commissioner pledges to hold probe into the matter

“It seems to be a unique case of corruption allegedly on the part of officers/officials who should face an inquiry,” he said.

Another shopkeeper criticised the LDA for wasting the public money on the roads constructed in recent months.

“These service roads were really in good condition. But uprooting and reconstructing them again is a big surprise,” he said.

A labour supervisor, present on site, stated that he didn’t see any issue with the road.

“But we have to follow the orders. So, following the orders, we have started doing construction work here,” he said, confirming that the roads were in good condition and there was no need to dismantle them.

The construction of the Abdul Haq Road is also surprising as it required only patchwork at certain spots. However, it was completely dismantled at a stretch in a bid to construct a new bed (layers of base, sub-base, compaction).

“This road is also being widened with the addition of one more lane on both sides by squeezing/shortening of width of the beautiful greenbelt,” a local resident said. He said the Lahore High Court had also reprimanded the officers for causing environmental degradation (smog, pollution etc) through destroying greenbelts, cutting/uprooting trees, unbridled urban growth, illegal commercial activities, causing traffic congestion, wrong parking and other interventions,” said a citizen.

On the other hand, the LDA engineering wing executive engineer/deputy director Haroon Saidi said the service roads (at certain points) were required to be reconstructed keeping in view various issues including the drainage/sewerage, level etc.

“The service roads were already in a dilapidated condition due to drainage issues caused by the high level of ramps from the ground level,” he said, adding that the reconstruction of roads (at certain damaged points) is enhanced sometime to maintain level.

Talking to Dawn, LDA Chief Engineer Asrar Saeed claimed that the condition of the service roads was not good and they required rehabilitation.

“Some people had also complained about them. A former MPA had also pointed out this issue that forced us to carry out the construction work,” he said.

Mr Saeed added that the condition of the Abdul Haq Road was also bad at some points. According to him, the road would be widened with the addition of one more lane (from G-1 market to Expo Centre).

“We are doing it in the best public interest as no other issue (vested interest) exists on the part of any officer/official in this regard,” he clarified.

To a question, he said the tenders for the new schemes were issued keeping in view the LDA’s planned activities for generation and collection of revenue. The work on these schemes would be launched one by one with the gradual release of funds by the authority through its own financial resources, he added.

Meanwhile, Lahore Commissioner/LDA DG Randhawa has taken notice of the issue, saying action would be taken if anyone is found guilty.

“I will constitute an inquiry team to probe into the alleged wastage of public funds on the roads’ reconstruction, issuance of tenders etc,” he pledged.

It is pertinent to mention that the LDA, due to severe financial crisis, is yet to clear payments/bills amounting to Rs1bn.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2023