Underpass a ‘testament to Chinese friendship’

CM Punjab says 1.3km underpass was built in record 125 days

LAHORE: The Beijing Underpass is a monument to friendship between Pakistan and China, Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday while inaugurating what the provincial government claimed was one of the longest under-passes in the country named after the Chinese capital.

He said that this 1.3-kilometre-long underpass was built in record time of 125 days, costing Rs3.67 billion.

According to him, the underpass could handle 250,000 vehicles every day, greatly reducing traffic congestion on the Canal Road and its peripheries.

Appreciating LDA for completing the project in record time, he said that this underpass would directly lead to the Lahore Ring Road, thereby helping reduce traffic jams in several surrounding areas.

He said that they also invited the Consul-General of China on this occasion, adding that this underpass was a testament to Pakistan-China friendship. He thanked the Chinese government for undertaking the country’s biggest project CPEC and also for allocating funds for several affiliated projects.



The chief minister also announced launching Speedo Buses in Lodhran and Bahawalpur next week.

“Ensuring rapid and modern transportation services to the people is our primary priority, for which (adequate) resources have been allocated,” he added.

The CM said this while addressing a meeting to review this project’s progress via video-link.

He said that Metro Bus Service had greatly boosted the public transport sector, benefitting millions of people every day.

He said that the Speedo Bus Service was being launched for public convenience and this service was already serving people in Lahore and Multan and arrangements had been made for launching Speedo Buses in Lodhran and Bahawalpur.

“Latest E-ticketing system is being introduced on these buses,” he said.

Provincial Minister for Transport Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, MNA Mehar Ishtiaq Ahmed, Advisor Dr Umar Saif, the Chief Secretary and Chairman of the Planning and Development were among those who attended the meeting. The Deputy Commissioner of the districts concerned and the Commissioner of Bahawalpur Division participated via video link from Bahawalpur.