Punjab Province

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
A meeting chaired by Director General Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Tahir Farooq reviewed ongoing and proposed development projects across Lahore, with a detailed assessment of the proposed upgrade plan for Ferozepur Road being carried out on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The meeting also reviewed progress on various projects, proposed schemes and challenges faced during implementation.
LDA Chief Engineer Israr Saeed briefed the meeting on the proposed Ferozepur Road upgrade plan, stating that the LDA would undertake development and improvement works along both sides of approximately 15 kilometres of Ferozepur Road. The road from Canal Bank Road to Gajjumata will be upgraded under an urban regeneration initiative aimed at improving the overall infrastructure and appearance of the corridor.
Under the proposed plan, encroachments along Ferozepur Road will be removed, while new footpaths will be constructed and development works will be carried out according to a uniform design. Encroachments in front of hospitals will also be removed, and drop lanes will be developed to help improve traffic flow.
The meeting was informed that seating areas would be developed beneath flyovers along Ferozepur Road. The plan also includes removing unnecessary signage from the road and improving the surrounding infrastructure, while suitable spaces for parking will be developed.
A briefing was also given on the plan to beautify the Abdul Sattar Edhi Underpass under a sustainable development model. Officials also briefed the DG LDA on ongoing development works around the Railway Station and Misri Shah.
The meeting further reviewed sustainable development works underway in Gulberg Scheme and examined progress on the proposed underpass at Chowk Nakhuda.
Officials informed the meeting that an underpass would be constructed at Akbar Road, Chowk Nakhuda, in the Shadbagh area. The proposed underpass will be dual carriageway with two lanes, and is expected to facilitate more than 100,000 vehicles daily, helping reduce traffic congestion and improve traffic flow in the surrounding areas.
The meeting also reviewed progress on development works along Structure Plan Roads and discussed challenges affecting the completion of various projects. DG LDA Tahir Farooq reviewed the progress of the schemes and stressed the need to advance development activities according to the निर्धारित targets.
The meeting was attended by the LDA Chief Engineer, Director P&D, Directors of Engineering and other relevant officials.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority has decided to expand monitoring and enforcement measures to curb environmental pollution and smog. Surveillance of polluting activities will be intensified through Safe City cameras as well as modern drones to identify violators and ensure prompt action.
According to the Safe Cities Authority spokesperson, more than 300 violations related to environmental pollution were detected through Safe City cameras over the past two days. Action has been taken against smoke emitting vehicles, with e challans issued to several vehicles found violating environmental regulations.
The spokesperson said action was also being taken against vehicles transporting construction materials, sand, soil and other dust-generating materials without proper tarpaulin covers. Information regarding violations is being promptly shared with the relevant departments to facilitate immediate enforcement action.
According to the Safe Cities Authority, information collected through 43 Smart Safe City Centres across the city is being transmitted to the relevant departments in a timely manner. The initiative aims to ensure swift and effective action against environmental pollution.
The authority said the use of modern technology, surveillance cameras and drones would further strengthen monitoring of activities contributing to smog and air pollution, while legal action would continue against those found violating environmental regulations.

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan
The Rawalpindi Development Authority has operationalised its Housing Societies Management System for the online submission, scrutiny and processing of applications related to private housing schemes within its jurisdiction.

The system has been introduced on the directions of the Commissioner Rawalpindi Division and RDA Director General Salman Ghani, with the Punjab Land Records Authority clearing the platform for implementation.

Sponsors of private housing schemes under the RDA's jurisdiction will now be required to use the digital system for fresh applications, scheme revisions and other admissible matters. The previous process of physical submissions has been replaced by the online workflow.

The RDA has advised applicants to upload complete and accurate information along with all required supporting documents to avoid delays in processing.

According to the authority, the new system is aimed at improving transparency and efficiency, expediting scrutiny and processing, reducing paperwork and ensuring timely disposal of housing scheme cases.

However, the RDA has clarified that submitting an application through the digital system does not constitute approval of a housing scheme. Buyers are advised to independently verify the latest approval status, No Objection Certificate and legal standing of any housing scheme before purchasing property.

Similarly, revised layouts and other applications submitted through the system will not be considered approved until formal sanction is granted by the competent authority.

The digital initiative is expected to improve administrative transparency and efficiency for private housing schemes in Rawalpindi, while buyers will continue to need independent due diligence on the current regulatory status of any project.