Lahore: The Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar is yet to approve the much-hyped remodelling Maulana Shaukat Ali Road project of Lahore Development Authority (LDA), according to news published on September 5.
LDA Director General Ahmed Aziz Tarar briefed CM Buzdar on the mega remodelling project, earlier in June, but the project is still to get approval. According to the details, LDA proposed the plan to transform one of the main arteries – Maulana Shaukat Ali Road- into a 15-kilometre long signal-free corridor to control the flow of traffic. The estimated cost of the said project was PKR 7 billion. It was disclosed that the objective of the project was to link two arteries: Ferozepur Road and Multan Road. Moreover, the remodelling will start from Kharak Stop on Multan Road till the roundabout of Karim Block Market and from there the road will turn towards Punjab University. As per the proposed design, a flyover or an underpass will be constructed at the signal of Karim Block’s market, Wahdat Road junction.
Moreover, a single side underpass or a flyover will be developed at Jinnah Hospital. A single side underpass will be built at Shauq Chowk along with a double flyover at Model Town Link Road crossing. Additionally, six twin U-turns will be constructed on the road to make it a signal-free corridor. It was also mentioned that LDA will construct 14 overhead bridges and footpaths along the road. To allow the motorists and cyclists to cross the road, half of the overhead bridges will have ramps. A senior LDA official, while talking to the media, stated that this signal-free corridor will decrease travel time to 10 to 15 minutes from one and a half hours. In addition to this, the fuel cost will also be reduced for motorists while improving the flow of traffic. LDA Chief Engineer Mazhar Khan disclosed that the government might approve the remodelling project in the coming days.
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