PHA to develop 7 new parks, restore existing ones

Rs120-130 million to be spent on parks between Harbanspura, Jallo Park

LAHORE: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) will develop seven new public parks and revamp existing ones in Lahore. A summary in this regard has been forwarded to the Punjab chief minister for formal approval, PHA Director General Shakeel Ahmad said on Tuesday.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Ahmad said the authority would develop the parks and recreation areas along the Canal Bank Road, between Harbanspura and Jallo Park. “There is an eight kilometre-long greenbelt alongside the canal when you are travelling towards Jallo Park from Harbanspura. We will develop small parks, recreation areas and parking spaces after every kilometre along the road. The project will cost Rs120-130 million,” he said.





Highlighting the salient features of the proposed recreation facilities, Ahmad said the authority would build glass bridges on the canal. “There will be sitting areas, walkways and fireplaces for barbecue. The authority has already forwarded a summary to the chief minister for proposed recreation facilities. Once it is approved and the requisite funds are available, development work will start on the project,” he said.



In addition, Ahmad said, the PHA had also planned to revamp and rehabilitate the existing public parks with an investment of around Rs250 million. “The authority had limited resources for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the big public parks. We have asked the government to provide funding for rehabilitation of Ideal Park, Township; Shershah Block Park, Garden Town; Q Block Park, Model Town Extension; Public Parks near Bhati and Yakki Gates; and Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park,” he said. He said that facilities in big public parks had deteriorated over years.

He said most horticulture and plantation work had been completed along the Gulberg-Jail Road Signal Free Corridor, except at Liberty Roundabout where development was underway. “The authority has redesigned the green space around the fountain at Liberty Chowk. Remodeling and landscaping will be completed in three to four weeks,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2016.