Lahore Development Authority finally decides to build tech park on Ferozepur Road
LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has finally decided to establish a major tech park situated on Ferozepur Road, close to the Arfa Karim tower.
The decision to establish the tech park has been taken keeping in view the findings of some internal market research reports that declared the land measuring nearly 119 kanal fit for the IT and allied businesses, according to official sources.
“We want to utilize our precious land for the establishment of a major tech /IT hub, involving the private sector to invest for the purchase of various sizes of commercial plots planned to be carved out with provision of state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated parking plaza,” reveals Asaduz Zaman, LDA’s Chief Town Planner (1) while talking to Dawn.
“This is the land that once housed a vegetable and fruit market which was shifted to Kahna,” he added.
The LDA had purchased nearly 119 kanal land from the Model Town Cooperative Housing Society in 1978 and later established a fruit & vegetable market there. In 2011, the LDA shifted the market from Ferozepur Road (Kot Lakhpat) to Kahna, following plans to control serious environmental issues in the area. While shifting the market, the LDA paid over Rs761 million to shop owners as compensation (103 shops) for their structures, relocation, disturbance etc. The remaining area was acquired by the LDA through government under the Land Acquisition Act for Rs1.847 billion.
Since various public and private organisations showed interest in procuring the land, the LDA had, in December 2021, approved the allotment of the entire land of the vegetable market measuring 119 kanals to the Specialised Healthcare Department for over Rs2 billion for the establishment of a hospital. However, the department failed to pay the amount to the LDA despite extension given to it for the payment.
The land possession had also been handed over to the department reportedly, but it failed to pay the amount again. Later, the then chief minister and the senior officials decided to allot 57 kanals to it free of cost in January 2023 for the construction of a 100-bed hospital. But the plan could not be materialised.
According to the new plan (Tech Park City), nearly 50 Kanal of the total area / land has been allocated for commercial use, followed by 1.12 kanal for public building, 6/17 kanal for parks and about 60 kanal for parking and roads.
The plot size would consist of 8, 15 and 1 kanal on which the plans for the buildings having 72 feet (ground plus 5) and 90-foot (ground plus 6) would be allowed.
The first ballot for the open auction of plots under the plan has been scheduled for Oct 14 whereas the remaining plots will be auctioned in 2027 and 2028. The LDA expects Rs13.566 billion revenues from the auctions. Similarly, Rs45 million have been estimated to be earned through auction of leasing period for a petrol pump site and a food outlet.
Talking to Dawn, LDA’s Director (Auction) Ali Bin Sohail said the project will help boost business activities in the IT sector.