Due process: Scrapped expressway set to make a comeback

Public hearing regarding environmental impact slated for Monday

LAHORE:

A planned eight-lane Elevated Expressway from Gulberg to the Motorway (M-II), earlier scrapped by Lahore High Court, has returned to the limelight with a public hearing of the initiative slated for Monday.

The revised environmental impact assessment report of the project envisions a four-lane dual-carriage highway.  “The project is of pivotal importance when it comes to overcoming heavy traffic across the city, especially when it comes to exiting Lahore from the M-II or accessing Allama Iqbal International Airport from there in the least amount of time possible,” the report, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune states. Largely being constructed in densely populated parts of the city, 1, 715 trees will be felled due to the project.

The report recommends planting at least three times and (up to five times) more trees to replace trees felled. A large portion of the expressway will be constructed above the Cantt Drain, which runs across the city. According to the report, the entire expressway will not be constructed over the drain, “but in the long-run may be aligned to position it underneath the structure.” The report goes on to clarify that this would be executed as a separate initiative, dates of which cannot be predicted as of now.

The report then proceeds to argue that the project will have a positive impact on the environment. This, it says, will be so as currently traffic levels release pernicious gases like carbon, sulphur and nitrogen, which a signal-free road, will reduce.  “…A number of adverse environmental impacts can also be assessed when the proposed project is implemented. Almost all adverse environmental impacts will be temporary, thus short term mitigations are required.” However, the report does acknowledge that the visual impact on the area’s aesthetics will be enduring.

The report also elucidates the various measures needed to curb environmental degradation during the project’s construction. These include installing a fence around the construction area and regular sprinkling of water. Excavated soil will also be given “proper cover” by using boarding mats and being effectively disposed of “to avoid disturbing natural drainage.” The report also recommends all earthwork such as site-preparation and levelling to be carried out over the dry season.

As many as 886.16 kanals of land needs to be procured for the project. The report states that this will affect 563 houses. Most of the land is located alongside the banks of the Cantt Drain.

The total cost of the project stands at Rs35.3 billion with Rs3.5 billion being earmarked for land acquisition. Additionally, environmental monitoring of the project will cost Rs28.89 million. The 31-metre expressway is expected to be completed in two years. The report fails to comprehensively discuss alternatives to the project. “Different alternatives were also considered by engineers for the proposed project which include with and without options. The main objective was to consider various alternatives to make the project more environment-friendly, acceptable and sustainable with respect to its location and layout,” the report fleetingly mentions.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2016.