KBCA appears helpless: Blatant violations of building rules rampant in city

[LahoreEstate]

By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: The Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) has failed to curb violations of building rules in certain towns of the city, as various contractors have been constantly violating the authority’s rules and regulations.
KBCA’s controllers at the town level have not taken any action against the violators. The recent violations include construction of a commercial hall on a residential plot, No C-49, Block 13-D in Federal ‘B’ Area, Plot No 5-D/4 and 5-D/5 in Paposh Nagar, North Nazimabad, Plot No 791 and Plot No 636 in Jamshed Town and various other constructions in Lasbella.
Plot No 1-C, 25/1 in Liaquatabad Town is also a manifest of contractor Noor’s sources in the department as, despite the information about his violating regulations on the plot being sent to the officer concerned, he has escaped the consequences. Noor has violated KBCA rules and regulations earlier as well, as he had constructed an additional floor on the same plot. However, the KBCA had demolished the floor. Liaquatabad Town KBCO Ashkar Dawar had declined to pass any comment on the matter.
Certain other contractors have also been involved in building violations, however, KBCA could not initiate any actions against them, while the authority has also declared more than 160 occupied buildings in the city to be in a dangerous condition.
Some of the previously reported violations include Liaquatabad Town No 2 B Area; illegal construction of additional floors is being carried out on plots No 29/26 and 30/26 where illegal six-storey apartments have been
constructed. Likewise, residents of F B Area Block 2 have, in connivance with KBCA officers, constructed pavements in front of their homes, narrowing the road for passing vehicles.
According to procedures, KBCA has to serve notices to the contractors involved in violations and in case the violations are not removed, the help of the police is sought and the KBCA demolishing squad demolishes that part of the building. However, a majority of violations have been overlooked and no action is being taken against the violators.
Talking to Daily Times, KBCA Public Relations Officer said that the authority would initiate actions against violators in case the information is provided on time. If the information is received late and people occupy the part of the building that is violating rules, then the KBCA would not be in a position to take any action, the PRO added.
Replying to a question, the PRO said that the KBCA Chief Controller has issued stern directives on various occasions to KBCOs to remain vigilant of any violations. One unfortunate aspect of the situation is that the police of the area concerned do not provide help in curbing violations.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...09_pg12_11