Ravi Town amass with illegal constructions

[Salman]

Illegal construction of buildings is continuing unabated in the Ravi Town precincts as municipal sources told Pakistan Today on Saturday that only 46 building plans had been submitted to the town authority from January 2014 till date while dozens of industrial, commercial and residential buildings had sprung up during this period.

Sources said that construction work on industrial, commercial and residential buildings was continuing in several areas of Ravi Town including Badami Bagh, Shahdara, Kala Khatai Sheikhupura Road, Saggian Road, Misri Shah, Ring Road and Kachha Ring Road whereas only 46 building maps had been submitted to the Building Branch of the Ravi Town Administration of which 25 were of residential buildings, 15 of commercial and six related to industrial establishments.

“Of the 25 building plans submitted for residential construction, only three were approved. No approval has been given as yet to maps for commercial buildings while just two industrial building plans have received permission,” said the sources, adding that the authority was yet to consider approvals for the remaining building plans.

However, sources said that construction work had either been completed or was continuing on buildings whose plans were yet to receive the town administration’s approval, adding that no person or company could begin work on their construction sites without formal approval from the town administration concerned.

If any person or company starts construction without approved building plans, the town administration is empowered to seal the premises and demolish the construction.

Sources said that illegal construction was not possible without the connivance of enforcement inspectors of the building branch of the town concerned.

“Enforcement inspectors and their subordinate officials patronise illegal construction in return for hefty bribes. Their services also include providing protection to their ‘clients’ from legal action,” said the sources.

Currently there are two enforcement inspectors working in the Ravi Town Building Branch namely Suhail Pervaiz and Turab Malik.

Pakistan Today made repeated attempts to talk to the two officials regarding the mushrooming illegal construction in Ravi Town but both men refused to say anything in this regard.

Talking to Pakistan Today, Ravi Town Municipal Officer Malik Ibrar said that building plans were approved taking into account all construction by-laws. However, he failed to satisfy the reporter’s query on the inordinate delay of the plans that had been pending with the Authority since January.

“We have been informed about construction work being undertaken without formal approval from the town administration and I can assure you that people responsible for this illegal construction would be shown no mercy,” he said, adding that officials found negligent of acting against illegal construction would also face the music.