Punjab

Kalima Chowk flyover denounced as ‘illegal’

The Lahore Bachao Tehreek and the Lahore Conservation Society denounce decision for construction of flyover.

Express March 08, 2011

LAHORE: The Lahore Bachao Tehreek and the Lahore Conservation Society on Tuesday held a press conference at the Press Club denouncing government’s decision to start construction of a flyover at Kalima Chowk and cutting of 70 trees for this purpose.

They said the $2.1 billion project was planned without seeking approval from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). Advocate Ahmed Rafay Alam said that under Pakistan Environment Protection Act, 1997, any infrastructure project costing over Rs50 million must get EPA’s approval. Urban Planner Imrana Tiwana said it was unfortunate to see the government violating its own rules. The trees are being cut to provide a temporary diversion.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (15)

John | 13 years ago | Reply Shame on Lahore bachao tehreek! Can't move your ass for the people that are dying every day and here you are saving 1400 trees. You don't care about the ambulances that get stuck in the traffic every day and the nerve wrecking traffic congestion people suffer from every day...

Saud | 13 years ago | Reply firstly, i think its Rs 2.1 billion...the cost of the project secondly, more than cutting down 60 tress, i think its primarily a complete waste of money especially for a country like pakistan.. the reason being that even if you do make a fly over on kalma chowk , it wont solve the traffic issue. the traffic will get stuck on the canal or the next crossing. the money shouldve been spent on more critical issues like education or health or rehabilitation of the flood victims or even to pay back the IMF loans! the CM just wants publicity... and unfortunately our public takes everything at face value..2 billion spent on a fly over are just more 'visible' than if spent on education. also, regarding the trees, you can spend a small fraction of this 2.1 billion budget to plant a 100 trees at the same site or elsewhere if one willing to give attention to the environment..

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Nadeem Khurshid | 13 years ago | Reply DHA is also cutting trees and converting prime agriculture land into commercial / residential projects. Why Lahore Bachao keeps a blind eye on it?

Samiullah BAJWA | 13 years ago | Reply correction "generated by" in second line

Samiullah BAJWA | 13 years ago | Reply All memebers of EPA try crossing Kalima Chowk at peak times and you will definitely feel the pollution generated my hundreds of vehicles!. Time delay, Fuel burnt, and Cost to car owners all justify a mandatory smooth flow of traffic at Kalima chowk. Please target your energies towards industrial pollution and rectifying all the ganda nallahs is Lahore. May be you dont have small children who are twice a day stuck in heavy traffic at Kalima chowk breathing in dangerous gasses. I will begin to undersatnd your commitment if from today you yourself stop using cars totally.

Sabih Shad | 13 years ago | Reply Quit expanding roads. Give the public alternate means of Mass Rapid Transit. We don't need more cars on the roads.

imran | 13 years ago | Reply I think Lahore Bachao Tehrik People should cross Kalma Chowk at 9 morning and at 5 to 8 in the evening and then should jump into canal

Salman | 13 years ago | Reply According to PEPA (Review of IEE - EIA Regulations 2000), EIA is a compulsory for infrastructure projects costing 50 million and above . Any project executed in contravention of environmental laws is definitely illegal. The 'flyover and underpass' project is being planned in favor of people since it would ease the flow of traffic and would save time and resources. However, the aspect of environment (either physical, social or biological) has been overlooked. The question is that why government has not sought approval from the Environmental Protection Agency prior to execution of flyover and underpass project? If the government will itself violate its own rules, what we can expect from private developers?

Fahad | 13 years ago | Reply Its a good step by CM Shahbaz Sharif... Kalma Chowk is one of the busiest hub of the city. The construction of the flyover and underpasses will definately facilitate public.. Traffic flow will become smooth. Just go and watch the Mughalpura Flyover which has been recently completed by Punjab Government.

Abbas | 13 years ago | Reply May be you have never got stuck there for hours. I think Lahore bachao tehreek is another ngo making money on the misery of people living in Lahore. Isn't the fuel burnt while waiting three times the signal close on ferozepur road making more pollution then 15 odd trees?? I don't like what Shahbaz Shareef has done completely but making infrastructure to commute is imperative. The bridge should be built in 3 months time.

ali | 13 years ago | Reply @ S Khan your hilarious...give me the logic for cutting trees? your government is full of dictators and people who break laws? this is one of the most basic violations as you have 17 percent increase in cars and stuff and widening a road for temporary period without anyone's permission is embarrassing.

Ehsan Haq | 13 years ago | Reply @Ehsan Haq: Correction: Pls read in start of 3rd line -- "Rs. 2.10billion" --.

Ehsan Haq | 13 years ago | Reply There is a very easy (and perhaps the only) way out to this stupid objection. Govt can easily increase the estimated cost to Rs. 2.11billion from the current Rs. 2.11, and the increase of 0.01 billion can be used to fill the mouth of these professional challengers and keep them shut.What non-sense to postpone and delay a vital public-interest project for the sake of 60 trees.

S Khan | 13 years ago | Reply What black mailing Lahore Bachao Tehreek is up too, it is them who delayed the canal project for last three years , what alternate do they have. why they do not go after the Environment destroyers i e industries draining all waste in water system ????? Had the Govt hired them as consultant on heavy fees no issues

rehman | 13 years ago | Reply 2.1 billion dollars???r they out of they mind

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