LAHORE: Lack of reforms and a progressive mindset is causing serious service delivery issues in the Lahore Development Authority`s metropolitan planning (MP) wing, as the disposal of the cases concerning approval of private housing schemes and subdivisions, revisedplans,action againstillegalhousing societies, mortgaging or release of mortgaged plots, transfer of public-purpose land and others are taking up to two yearstogetapproved.

`You cannot imagine the problems faced by applicants seeking LDA approvals in various nature of cases related to the MP wing. And I believe that getting these issues resolved here is a game of nerves,` deplores an applicant currently passing through the lengthy procedure for approval of land subdivision.

`The service is pathetic, causing mental tension, loss of money, energy and time. The government must look into these issues seriously,` he sought.

Another applicant alleged that mostofficers working in the LDA`s MP wing are lethargic, having clerical mindset and are unable to go for an out of the box approach to positively disposing of the cases.

`They [the officials] take days to think, months to move files amid objections, and years to accord approval, contrary to the government`s claims of ensuring ease in doing business by anyone,` he says. `Sometime it seems that we are still living in the era of 90s,` he said, demanding the chief minister, chief secretary and LDA director general (DG) to take up this issue promptly.

An insider revealed that due to delayed and flawed procedures, a huge number of applications (over 150), related to approval of housing schemes/ land subdivisions etc are lying pending with the LDA since long.

Besides, a number of applications seeking release of plots are also pending, annoying the public at large.

`Due to delay in approvals, the number of illegal housing schemes is rising fast, leaving sponsors/developers with no option but to start development works in connivance with the LDA officers con-cerned. This also promotes corruption, he explained.

He alleged many LDA officers raise unnecessary objections to applications to force people to bribe them. According to him, the LDA management must amend the rules to ease procedures, fix shorter timelines for positive disposal of cases and direct officers to adopt an out of the box approach to give relief to the people and end corrupt practices.

Upon contact, LDA Chief Metropolitan Planner (CMP) Muhammad Faisal Qureshi admitted the that procedures are lengthy, but also held other departments responsible in this regard.

`In fact, the approvals generally face delay when the NOCs from other departments, such as revenue, environment etc, are not issued on time. Yes there are some issues on our part too, but the major responsibility rests with others,` he argued.

He said departments also delay submission of development reports, leading to delay in release of mortgaged plots.

Mr Qureshi also admitted that many officers can`t come up with out of the box solutions, terming it a behaviuoral issue.`To resolve these issues, we need to introduce reforms with an open mindset, so that people could be provided relief.

He said as many as 140 cases concerning housing schemes/land subdivisions are under process, whereas 175 schemesin Lahore city district are illegal.

To another question, he said the Lahore`s master plan-2050 is yet to be finalised, as it is pending since February 2023 due to no extension in the contract of a private firm.

`This is due to some political issues, and we are not responsible for this,` he clarified.

LDA DG Tahir Farooq said the management has started focusing on reforming its MP wing to give relief to the people.

`In coming months, you will see digitization, enabling people to submit applications and get approvals online,` he claimed, adding that the ongoing reforms in the building control (town planning wing) have given good results.

`And after introduction of similar reforms in the MP wing, there would be few such issues,` the DG added.