LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority’s (LDA’s) Governing Body has approved Rs 57.96 billion annual budget of the LDA and its subsidiaries – WASA and TEPA – for the fiscal year 2017-18. A sum of Rs 37.55 billion has been earmarked for development works. An amount of Rs 10 billion has been set aside for carrying out civil work, allied work and shifting of services for the Orange Line Metro Train project. A major chunk of the budget consists of launching various development projects under the annual development programmed that includes Rs 14.64 billion to be provided by the Punjab government for carrying out development schemes in three districts – Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Kasur. The remaining Rs 13.51 billion would be provided by the LDA. Moreover, Rs 4.49 billion have been allocated for carrying out development works in LDA housing schemes, including Rs 1 billion for LDA Avenue-I, Rs 390 million for construction of road network, water supply and sewerage at Finance and Trade Centre in Johar Town, Rs 2 billion for LDA City. These projects also include construction of an underpass at a railway crossing near Gurumangat Road, remodeling of junctions and U-turns on Moulana Shoukat Ali Road, Khayaban-e-Firdousi and Khyban-e-Jinnah. An expenditure of Rs 1.40 billion will incur on construction of different buildings, including Rs 800 million for LDA Office building in Johar Town, Rs 100 million for an office in LDA Avenue-I and Rs 150 million for additional construction work at Park and Shop Plaza, Moon Market, Allama Iqbal Town. An amount of Rs 250 million has also been set aside for shifting of Kot Lakhpat Fruit and Vegetable Market, while Rs 170 million have been allocated for construction of pedestrian bridges at different locations in the city. Similarly, an amount of Rs 2 billion has been earmarked for construction of Twin Towers on Jail Road, and Rs 100 million for construction of underpass on Shahkam Chowk Defence Road. Other major allocations include Rs 100 million for construction of an approach road from Burki Road to Ashiyana Iqbal, Rs 50 million for widening and improvement of Bedian Road, Barki Road and adjoining approach roads and Rs 50 million for construction of a road from Expo Centre to Bahria Town / Ring Road (parallel to Canal Road) and Rs 50 million for construction of structure plan road from Expo Centre to Khayaban-e-Jinnah, Rs 82.5 million for consultancy services for preparation of master plan for water supply, sewerage, drainage and ground water management system for Sheikhupura, Kasur and Nankana districts and Rs 2.75 billion for establishment of 12 sports complex in different constituencies of the National Assembly. WASA: the agency expects total receipts of Rs 14.93 billion in the financial year 2017-18, while the estimated expenditure is Rs 15 billion, including Rs. 5.22 billion for development schemes. Under the annual budget, the WASA will spend a sum of Rs 3 billion for ongoing development schemes. An amount of Rs 210 million will be spent for development scheme in NA-127, Rs 170 million for improvement of water supply system in MA Johar Town and Tajpura zones, Rs 132 million for the water supply system, Rs 100 million for restoration of original cross section (40-feet) of Sattu Katla Drain from Ferozepur Road to PECO Road and Rs 40.77 million for preparation of a master plan for water supply, sewerage and drainage system for Lahore PC-II. Moreover, Rs 100 million have been allocated for sewerage system from Larechs Colony to Gulistan-e-Ravi, Rs 150 million for sewerage system for UC-117, 118 and 120, Rs 100 million for establishment of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system at tube-wells, Rs 113.5 million for installation of filtration plants, Rs 200 million for storm water drainage system from Haji Camp to Ravi River via Laxmi Chowk, Mcleod Road, Nabha Road, Chauburji and Sham Nagar. Furthermore, Rs 100 million have been allocated for provision of clean drinking water, sewerage system, PCC and allied facilities in Shahdara and adjoining slum areas, Rs 100 million for provision of clean drinking water, sewerage system, PCC and allied facilities in Ganj Bazar, Gulistan Colony and adjoining slum areas, Rs 125.1 million for laying of lateral and branch sewer in Shadi Pura and Rs 65.8 million for provision of clean drinking water, sewerage system and allied facilities in Walton, Hussainabad and adjoining areas. The agency will also spend Rs 453 million on new development schemes. These allocations include Rs 100 million for improvement of sewerage system in slum areas adjacent to Sagian Road (Shahdara), Rs 200 million for sewerage in Aashiana Housing Scheme, Rs 20 million for providing / fixing of Hypo chlorinators, Rs 33.2 million for preparation of a feasibility study and detailed engineering design regarding sewerage and drainage system for areas located along Charrar Drain. TEPA: it will have a total of Rs 4.42 billion at its disposal whereas its expenditure has been estimated at Rs 4.17 billion, including development work costing Rs 3.81 billion. Published in Daily Times, July 11th , 2017.