LAHORE – District Administration yesterday claimed that in last two days Rs 1.75 billion have been paid to over 350 people affected by Orange Line Metro Project.

Spokesman of City District Government told The Nation that payments have been made against acquisition of their building structures only while the remaining payments against acquisition of land would later be given.

However, some affected people criticized the attitude of officers on duty saying they were not polite and are not cooperating properly. “For submitting their claims, the affected people have to wait for a long time. Sometimes for the whole day and may return without filing their documents”, Mukhtar Ahmad, of Multan Road area said. Some people at UET Camp suggested that the government should increase number of payment camps as well as the number of employees for convenience of affected people.  

District Administration Lahore started issuing payments to people affected by Metro Orange Line Project at its three Metro Orange line Payment Centres located at Thokar, Jain Mandir and UET which also remained open on Friday. A large number of the affected people came at these centres by using the shuttle service provided by District Administration on DCO Lahore’s direction. The affected people continued to submit their essential document at these centers where officers and employees of Lahore Development Authority, District Administration, Revenue, Town Administrations and Bank of Punjab helped them in filing of their documents.

Moreover, Ministers, MNAs and MPAs along with Assistant Commissioners were also present at the centres throughout the day and helped them in case of delay in the process of payment. Security arrangement had also been taken to avoid any untoward incident. Moreover, DCO Captain (R) Muhammad Usman also visited payment centres early morning where he inspected arrangements.

During his revisit to Thokar, Jain Mandir and UET Centers talking to the media he claimed that the assigned staff of all departments had been working honestly and with dedication at these centres and the speedy disposal of cases reflected that timely payments to all affected people within the stipulated time frame will be ensured. He further said a proper liaison had been developed between District Administration and State Bank of Pakistan for the same day payments from bank via cheques being issued by City District Government Lahore.

Earlier, Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab, Kh Ahmed Hasaan had claimed best compensation than market rates was being given to the owners of properties being acquired for Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project. He said that compensation will be paid to the owners without any delay on production of ownership deeds. He said that besides price of property, compensation of constructed structure, migration allowance and amount of loss of business will be paid to these people so that they could start their alternative business and make residential arrangements.

In this regard, Kh. Hasaan said compensation will also be paid to the people having no proof of ownership of their claimed properties but after verification of documents. He said that special meetings will be held in Board of Revenue twice a week for verification of these documents. He said the compensation of structure will be paid immediately while price of land will be paid without any delay after verification of documents by Board of Revenue.