WCLA to add more toilets at Lahore Fort

Flow of water has been given special consideration so as not to damage surrounding structures

LAHORE: The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has started constructing more public facilities at the Lahore Fort, including toilets, to cater to the thousands of visitors frequenting the world heritage site.

According to Director Conservation and Planning Najam-us-Saqib, there were only 10 toilets in the fort complex; nowhere near enough for the thousands of visitors.



“Constructed at a cost of Rs2 million, two of the eight toilets are reserved for the disabled and there are three each for men and women,” he said. “These toilets are up to international standards, keeping in view the importance of the heritage site.”

According to Saqib, water flow was given special consideration to ensure that there was no leakage or water ingression in any of the nearby structures.

According to WLCA Media and Marketing Deputy Director Tania Qureshi, the toilets were previously located at just one point inside the Lahore fort and it was becoming difficult for tourists to walk to another end.



“Now these eight new toilets have been constructed at the entry point of the fort where the ticket booth is located,” she said.

Tania said the step was taken for the ease of tourists, adding public facilities should be available at several spots.

“Due to the lack of such facilities, the elderly avoided visiting the fort and it was also a difficult trip for the children.”

Tania said the WLCA had revamped the previous toilets which were already built near the Akbari Gate area. The deputy director pointed out that special ramps were installed so that those on wheelchairs could also use the facility.



WLCA Director General Kamran Lashari said public facilities are of most great importance at tourist spots.

“Lahore Fort, a world heritage site, is visited by many tourists daily and the number is increasing by the day”, he said.

He added that keeping public requirements in view, the authority would be adding more public facilities of international standards.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2017.