Updated: Dec 30, 2021
Owing to the constantly increasing number of vehicles on roads, traffic jams have become a norm, especially during rush hours. In a densely populated city like Lahore, the development of new expressways and freeways has become the need of the hour to ease traffic congestion, which has already become a menace for commuters and people travelling around the city.
In a recent development, the Government of Punjab has announced yet another prominent signal-free road project in Lahore, which is to ensure smooth traffic flow between the two of the city’s most important neighbourhoods: Gulberg and DHA.
The route plan of Gulberg to DHA signal-free corridor includes a two-way underpass that will be built at Khalid Butt Chowk consisting of a total of four lanes (two lanes on each side). Moreover, a three-lane one-sided flyover will be constructed on Ghora Chowk eliminating the signal for the traffic going towards DHA. The flyover will be built from Ghora Chowk to Defence Mor.
The committee has approved to include a total budget of PKR 2.8 billion in the annual development program of the current fiscal year. In addition to this, a new U-turn at Center Point Gulberg will be constructed while Walton Road and Defence Mor will also be rebuilt at a cost of PKR 800 million.
________________________________
Pakistan has a total road network of 263,775 kilometres, according to the National Highway Authority (NHA). Every day millions of light transport vehicles (LTV) and heavy transport vehicles (HTV) ply these roads to reach their desired destinations. Lahore is one of the biggest and busiest cities of Pakistan. Understandably, it’s home to an extensive road network which holds the city together. These routes also provide easy access to important commercial areas such as Ferozepur Road, Lytton Road and McLeod Road. While the metropolis is well planned, navigation can get a little tricky if you’re not familiar with the major routes. But fret not! We’ve prepared a guide to the most popular roads in Lahore to help you explore the city with ease.
Popular Roads In Lahore
Staying true to its moniker “the city of gardens,” Lahore’s road network takes landscaping very seriously. However, government efforts are not just limited to beautification. Over the past few years, the provincial government has taken various steps towards the decongestion of traffic on some of the busiest routes; case in point: The project of Jail Road signal-free corridor was inaugurated in 2016. Other roads have seen changes like extension of lanes and building of underpasses and bridges.
In terms of traffic regulations, Lahore Traffic Police is in charge of maintaining law and order of the roads. The department caters to nearly 10 million travellers with a force of 3,215 traffic wardens every single day. Moreover, under the Lahore Safe City Project, which was launched in 2016, more than 8,000 surveillance cameras were installed, as of August 2020. Roads in Lahore, therefore, are some of the most secure in the country.
If you’re new to the city or a resident, our guide to the most popular roads in Lahore will definitely help you out. The most noteworthy names in this regard are:
- Ferozepur Road
- Main Boulevard Gulberg
- Jail Road
- Mall Road
- Canal Bank Road
- Ring Road
Now we shall discuss the importance of these roads in greater detail.
Ferozepur Road
Ferozepur Road provides a connection between Lahore and Kasur. Being one of the most used roads in Lahore, Ferozepur Road serves as a crucial artery that connects to important locations such as Model Town, Walton Road, Defence and Kot Lakhpat.
Ferozepur Road provides easy access to many facilities including hospitals, housing schemes and commercial markets. One of the popular markets on the main Ferozepur Road is Ichhra Market which is famous for affordable garments and house accessories such as curtains and bedroom items. In addition, there is a whole market for sanitary fixtures as well as other materials used in construction.
Moreover, Lahore Metrobus System, a bus rapid transit (BRT) service, has also been established by the government to ease the commuters who travel from far off places like Gajjumata to different places in the city. Lahore General Hospital and Gulab Devi Hospital are also located on main Ferozepur Road from where people from all over Lahore and its adjacent areas get treatment.
Many investment opportunities are available on Ferozepur Road for those who are looking for high returns. These lucrative options have immense potential because Ferozepur Road has easy access to important areas such as Lahore Ring Road, DHA and Model Town.
Main Boulevard Gulberg
The area of Gulberg is an upscale residential area and it’s home to some of the most luxurious, and lucrative, property options in Lahore. The road that connects Gulberg with other parts of the city is primarily Main Boulevard Gulberg which is home to the biggest computer market in Pakistan but that is not all it is famous for. Main Market Gulberg and Liberty Market also get access from Main Boulevard Gulberg.
A signal-free corridor, Main Boulevard Gulberg starts from Kalma Underpass and ends at Siddique Trade Center. Between these two points, the road gives access to many popular areas such as Qaddafi Stadium, M.M. Alam Road, Pace Shopping Mall, Imtiaz Store, Zahoor Elahi Road and Lahore Cantt. Another major reason for people to visit Main Boulevard Gulberg is food. This route offers many options for open-air as well as indoor dining.
There are some options available for investors, especially apartments offered by Zameen Aurum. You can also check popular apartment buildings in Gulberg, Lahore, for more details about investment options in the area.
Jail Road
Famous for Jilani Park, Jail Road is another signal-free corridor and a primary traffic artery of Lahore that links old parts of the city with new parts. Jail Road houses everything one needs near their home; a commercial market, a park, hospital, eateries and place for recreational activities.
Talking about the medical facilities, Services Hospital is located on the main Jail Road next to which is Punjab Institute of Cardiology where hundreds of patients having cardiovascular diseases are treated every day. Other than this, there are two all-girls institutes; Kinnaird College For Women and Lahore College For Women University which provide quality education in different disciplines.
The road starts from Sherpao Bridge and extends up to Ferozepur Road. In between this, it serves as a link to access Shadman, G.O.R. – I, Mall Road and Mazang.
Mall Road
There is no road that rivals Mall Road in Lahore. The importance it holds in terms of culture, politics and and architecture is matchless.
Most of Mall Road is lined by trees—a feature that makes this route ideal for those who want to spend some time in fresh air. From government buildings to famous markets, you will find everything here. One of the most famous and prestigious institutions in Lahore, Aitchison College is located on Mall Road. As you move forward, you will come across Alhamra Art Center where art exhibitions are hosted. But this place offers a lot more than paintings; there are halls available which are frequently used to host theatre shows for the public.
After you cross Alhamra, you will find the iconic WAPDA House, which is the headquarter of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). Right next to it is the Punjab Assembly building.
The famous Anarkali Bazar is also located on Mall Road. Mayo Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Lahore, lines this route as well. Other important landmarks include GPO building, Lahore High Court, Punjab University Old Campus, National College of Arts (NCA) and Lahore Zoo.
Canal Bank Road
Just like Shahrah-e-Faisal in Karachi, Lahore also has one road, Canal Bank Road, that connects two parts of Lahore; old Lahore and new Lahore. If you are on Canal Road, you can easily track your route to wherever you want to go.
The Canal Road starts as soon as you enter the city from Thokar Niaz Baig. Coming from Thokar, on your left will be the areas that are quite old and form up the old part of the city and vice versa on the left. It connects turn by turn with all the aforementioned areas and remains busy all day and continues to flow through the posh societies of Lahore such as Johar Town, PCSIR and Cana View.
Home to many private housing societies, Canal Bank Road is yet another signal-free corridor with 12 underpasses that help in the smooth flow of traffic from Thokar till Harbanspura. One of the many reasons why people visit this road is that it is beautifully decorated with lights and flowers dure Jashn-e-Baharan.
Ring Road
As the name suggests, Lahore Ring Road is a circular road that revolves around Lahore and is an architectural marvel. It has improved the flow of traffic and those who travel on it save an ample amount of time and fuel to reach the other parts of the city. One can save a lot of time at a steady speed using Ring Road which starts from Bahria Town and connects even the farthest point, Azadi Chowk.
There are a lot of investment opportunities near this road, commercial as well as residential.
There are other roads that hold much significance in Lahore, such as Mcleod Road, Lytton Road Main Boulevard Defence and Main Boulevard Model Town Link Road. However, the aforementioned ones are much more important owing to their history or they play a vital role in providing a link between various parts of the city.
For more on how to invest your money, keep following Zameen Blog, the largest real estate blog in Pakistan.
