‘Signal-free corridor’ project: LHC seeks report on Environment Department’s ‘interfe

[Salman]

LAHORE: A full bench of the Lahore High Court on Monday sought details about the alleged interference of Environement Protection Department in projects like “signal-free corridor” project from Qartaba Chowk to Liberty Chowk to protect environment.

The bench also directed to submit till today (Tuesday) details about composition of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA). The court had already granted stay against project of signal free corridor. Bench earlier had directed that all petitions including two moved by Imrana Tiwana, secretary general of Lahore Conservation Society against the LDA should be dealt as one case. Petitioner Fahad Malik submitted that the government started chopping the trees in the name of project called signal free corridor. He said that the act of the government would cause serious health hazards. He submitted that the government wanted to remove the green belts from both sides of the road on Mail Boulevard Gulberg for this project.

He said it is planned to cut countless trees along the road for this project. He took the plea that violating many basic human rights other than causing threat to the environment started the project. He said a total 7-kilometer corridor; they are going to construct 4 pedestrian bridges to facilitate the vehicular traffic. He said the area has many hospitals along this road and the government is causing hardships for patients by going with this project. He said by constructing this signal free corridor, the area would become more noisy causing problems for patients. He requested to declare the project as illegal and unconstitutional and had also requested to grant stay order against the project till final decision of the petition.