Metro Bus passengers to have a greener view

Horticultural gardens, fountains planned under major flyovers


Imran Adnan October 23, 2016
The team would inspect Jail Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg and Ferozepur Road to inspect diggings, footpaths, signboards and debris along these roads and submit its proposal to make the city more beautiful. PHOTO: APP

LAHORE: Lahore’s going to get a lot more green and beautiful in the next few months, especially along the route of the Punjab government’s beloved Metro Bus. The city administration has decided to set up horticultural gardens near five major flyovers falling in the way of the bus track.

The plan, officials say, is designed to give a green and healthy look to the city and for the Metro users in particular.

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These gardens will be built near Azadi flyover, Muslim Town flyover and MAO College flyover at an estimated cost of Rs54 million. The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has already initiated a bidding process for the early completion of flyover gardens and a rotary fountain garden.



Bidding documents show the PHA will develop five new gardens. The Azadi Flyover Garden near Azadi Interchange will be established at an estimated cost of Rs7.8 million. The one near Muslim Town flyover on Ferozepur Road will be built at an estimated cost of Rs12.2 million.

The highest amount of Rs19.1 million has been earmarked for the Thokar Niaz Baig flyover garden while the Lahore Bridge Garden on Ferozepur Road near Model Town Courts will be established at a cost of Rs16.42 million. About Rs7.9 million have been set aside for the Rotary Fountain Garden near MAO College.

The PHA has also invited bids for installation of a lighting system at Shanghai Bridge (Biker Ring) on Ferozepur Road with an estimated cost of Rs6.9 million.

PHA Director General Shakeel Ahmad told The Express Tribune the proposal of developing these gardens was tabled in a recent meeting and the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) had committed to providing funds for them.

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He said the PHA had limited resources but now the LDA had transferred the requisite money for development of these gardens. The authority had invited tenders and started development after successful completion of the bidding process.

Shakeel said though it was difficult to do plantation under flyovers as there was hardly direct sunlight but the authority would install some planters and place some benches for citizens to spend their leisure time close to nature.

Citing the example of Lahore Bridge in front of the Model Town Courts, the PHA DG said flyover gardens would help reduce encroachments and illegal parking issues.

In a related development, Lahore Division Commissioner Abdullah Khan Sumbal has also directed the City District Government Lahore (CDGL), LDA, City Traffic Police and PHA to constitute a special team to propose improvements along all major roads.

The team would inspect Jail Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg and Ferozepur Road to inspect diggings, footpaths, signboards and debris along these roads and submit its proposal to make the city more beautiful. The joint team would also propose a timeline for completion of these works.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24th, 2016.

COMMENTS (3)

Israr | 7 years ago | Reply The most costly project is reported to be Thokar Niaz Baig. However, there is a slight problem. There is no metro bus in Thokar Niaz Baig.
Faisal | 7 years ago | Reply Waiting for lockdown, IK Zindabad, come out of your homes and block ISB forever.
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