Maulana Shaukat Ali Road extension plan finalised

[Salman]

LAHORE

With a length of 3.4-km, two underpasses and an estimated cost of over Rs 1.7 billion, the Lahore Development Authority has finalised the extension plan of Maulana Shaukat Ali Road to Multan Road through the Punjab University land.

Sources in LDA said the total length of the road will be 3.4-km while two underpasses will be constructed on this road, first at Lahore Canal Crossing and second at Wahdat Road Crossing.

Out of the total length, the length of new road within the Punjab University premises is about 1.8-km length whereas rest of the road, which is already passing through Allama Iqbal Town and connecting with Multan Road will be reconstructed and renovated.

The new road will be a three lanes of 12-ft each dual carriageways with 24-ft service road on either side.

The Lahore Development Authority officials said the latest LED lights will be installed on this new road while other features of this road included storm water drainage and walkways.

The project cost is around Rs 1,742.322 million, which did not include land acquisition of about 262-kanal of the Punjab University.

The Lahore Development Authority officials said the road will improve mobility situation, enhance accessibility to area around and the university in particular, congestion alleviation on road network and comparatively better environmental conditions.

A senior Lahore Development Authority official said as per sensus-98, population in Lahore is expanding 3.2pc per year, which included natural growth as well as urban migration.

The present population of about 9 million will be about 15 million by Year-2030, which will be almost double the present day thereby multiplying traffic issues, he maintained.

He said the traffic congestions at Punjab University Underpass are creating distresses for commuters and the proposed road link will provide direct-alternate access to AIT, Multan Road and urban settlements beyond Multan Road.

The Lahore Development Authority spokesman said the project is launched to facilitate citizens in the best possible way and the authority wanted to provide public services by way of improved transport and traffic system in the provincial metropolis.