Construction of underpass begins despite objections

[Salman]

LAHORE : Ignoring all objections from civil society bodies, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has started the construction of a new underpass on Canal Bank Road at Jinnah Hospital crossing and a road linking Canal Bank Road to Wahdat Road.

The project is a part of the extension plan of Maulana Shaukat Ali Road to Multan Road through the Punjab University land. The new road is 3.4-km long with two underpasses, first at Lahore Canal Crossing and second at Wahdat Road Crossing. The estimated cost of this project is over Rs 1.7 billion, a senior LDA official said.

Imrana Tiwana, Secretary Lahore Conservation Society (LCS), while talking to The News, said the ongoing construction was a clear violation of the orders of Supreme Court of Pakistan and Canal Heritage Act, which prohibits construction on infrastructure, felling or damage of or to trees, pollution of water, hunting and use of firearms in the Canal Heritage Park.

She said the Act declares Lahore Canal as the heritage of the city, which needs to be developed so that future generations can also experience the joy and calm it brings to the residents and visitors to the city and this cultural heritage should be protected and promoted. She said any kind of construction activity on Canal Bank Road and both sides of its greenbelts is prohibited.

“LDA has done contempt of court by starting this project,” she said, adding the SCP’s judgement on the canal has clearly prohibited all constructions. She said a case is already in LHC and till its decision any practical move by the government could be considered contempt of court.

The preamble to the Act provides “Whereas the Lahore canal and the greenbelts on both sides of the canal is a public trust and is part of the heritage of the city of Lahore, therefore, it is expedient to make provisions for the maintenance of a salubrious environment and conservation of the Lahore Canal as a heritage park to preserve the flora and fauna of this heritage park and to provide for ancillary matters”. She said maintenance of the Heritage Park has been made the responsibility of the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA).

Naseemur Rehman, Director EIA, Environmental Protection Department (EPD) Punjab said the SCP has prohibited construction from Thokar to Doctors Hospital whereas this underpass is situated at Jinnah Hospital Crossing. He said SCP has already allowed widening project on the canal and this underpass and the road link is one of the 18 recommendations given by mediation committee in SCP.

LDA officials said the length of new road within the Punjab University premises is about 1.8-km 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, they said adding 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, they maintained.



LDA spokesman 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. He 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.

On the other hand, commuters travelling on Canal Bank Road have criticised the government for starting this project without giving an alternative traffic plan. They said the traffic police have stopped entry on the Canal Bank Road from Jinnah Hospital while those coming from Thokar have to make a U-turn from Campus Bridge.

LDA spokesman said that the authority has started this mega project to improve traffic management in the city and banners were installed in a radius of about 5 km regarding traffic plans and information of the project.