Lahore outskirts to see 3 new inter-city bus terminals

[Salman]

Lahore: The government has taken the long-awaited decision to construct three inter-city bus terminals to vacate the main bus stand in Badami Bagh and transfer load to the newly constructed stands.

The project, envisioned in 2012 as a way to save heritage sites from the environmental impact generated by the Badami Bagh Terminal and reduce heavy traffic in the city, will be funded by the World Bank. According to an official in the transport department, the three sites chosen for the terminals are Shahdara (GT Road), Gajjumata (Ferozepur Road) and Thokar Niaz Baig (Multan Road).

Reportedly, there are plans to convert the entire Jinnah Bus Terminal located on Multan Road into a complete inter-city bus route origination and termination point. Around 315 kanals of land from the police training center will supposedly be used to extend this terminal.

An intra-city bus terminal near the Lahore Railway Station is also on the cards, for which the Lahore Transport Company is set to present a concept paper to the steering committee.

After the completion of these terminals, buses will be banned from city areas including Badami Bagh.