Punjab govt to establish special planning authority to curb illegal housing societies

Punjab govt to establish special planning authority to curb illegal housing societies

Lahore (Web Desk): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has decided to create Punjab Special Planning Authority (PSPA) to regulate zoning for commercial, residential and agricultural lands to curb illegal housing societies.

According to details, the decision was made during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore on Wednesday.

The initiative includes the formation of Special Planning Committees at the district level, which will be led by the Deputy Commissioners and involve representatives from essential service-providing bodies such as WAPDA, Sui Gas, and WASA.

These committees will oversee land zoning for commercial, residential, and agricultural purposes, with a thorough review set to take place every four years.

One of the key features of this plan is the implementation of a monitoring system to track land violations, aimed at preventing illegal land use.

The introduction of the digital district wall will play a pivotal role in identifying any misuse of land, while also expediting the application process for various developments.

During the meeting, the chief minister also emphasized the urgency of clearing pending housing sector applications, asserting that a well-structured approach to town planning is vital for ensuring a stable and secure future.

The Punjab CM expressed concerns about the unchecked proliferation of illegal housing societies in urban areas, attributing it to a lack of coordinated planning in the past.

The meeting also touched upon a proposal to standardize the appearance of commercial and residential areas through distinct colour schemes and designs, a move aimed at enhancing the overall aesthetic and organization of these spaces.

Meanwhile, the meeting also reviewed the progress of the 414 housing schemes under phase one of the Lahore Development Plan, with CM Maryam insisting on daily updates to monitor the developments closely.