Signal-free corridor: LHC seeks Jail Road project record

A Lahore High Court (LHC) full bench on Thursday sought all record of the Jail Road Signal-Free Corridor by Friday (today). The bench is hearing petitions filed against the project. The bench observed that the court had to safeguard national interest and protect fundamental rights. Lahore Development Authority’s (LDA) counsel Khawaja Harris stated that it was a public welfare project. “LDA is not a revenue generating agency. It launches projects to facilitate citizens,” he said. He said that the rationale behind the project was to end traffic congestion. “Through this project, the traffic jams will be reduced. It will also have a positive economic impact. There might be some omissions, but we have to consider the benefits of the project as well,” he said. Harris said that if anyone had any alternative proposal, he should come forward. He requested the bench to give guidelines for the project. During the proceedings, LDA officials could not present data about vehicles using the roads. The court directed them to furnish all relevant record about the project at the next hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2015.