LHC orders to halt new development projects till Feb

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Friday ordered to stop work on new development projects in the city from October to February.

According to details, Chief Justice Shahid Karim of LHC heard the petitions related to remedial smog.

The court inquired from the lawyer of Punjab government that how many projects have been started in a month. The lawyer told the court that development work is underway on five projects in the city, and the ongoing project in Shahdara will also be completed soon.

Justice Shahid Karim ordered not to start work on the Niazi Interchange to Babu Sabu project, start it in February. The ongoing project is fine.

The court also stated that how much effect the project will have on the air quality should also be told. In the next hearing, inform the court in the light of data collected.

The Judicial Water and Environmental Commission suggested that no construction project should be started during the smog season. The court remarked that this was a very good suggestion and should be so.

The lawyer of Punjab government told the court that they are also working for the alignment of the roads. On which Justice Shahid Karim said that there are other road issues including Jail Road. There should not be U-turns everywhere on the roads, rather they should be kept at a distance.

The High Court further said that efforts should be done to save water for which treatment plant should be mandatory even in the construction of ten marla houses. He directed the authorities to make a proposal and submit it to the court at the next hearing.