LDA to streamline development projects with public needs

LDA proposes construction of a dual carriageway flyover at Shahkam Chowk to ease gridlocks

LAHORE: LDA Vice Chairman SM Imran has said public requirements, ground realities and local conditions would be the key factors for launching new development projects in Lahore for the benefit of the maximum number of people, instead of personal liking or disliking of decision makers.

He expressed these views while briefing the media during a visit to Shakam Chowk, Canal Road, on Tuesday. He said Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed for personally evaluating the inevitability of development projects to be launched by Lahore Development Authority (LDA) by actually visiting these locations.

He said prolonged traffic jams and long queues of vehicles at Shahkam Chowk were a routine matter which was bothersome for thousands of commuters daily crossing this point.

He said the LDA has proposed the construction of a dual carriageway flyover at this point and two proposals have been prepared for this purpose.

The construction of a two-lane flyover would cost Rs1.92 billion whereas construction of a three-lane flyover would cost Rs2.25 billion.

The project would be completed under the Annual Development Programme of the Punjab government. The widening and improvement of a 4.7-kilometre long stretch of Defence Road, from Labour Colony to Shahkam Chowk would also be carried out at a cost of Rs850 million.

Meanwhile, on invitation by the Director General Lahore Development Authority Amna Imran Khan, Managing Director of Fabiomazzeo Architects of Italy Gabriella Brignone visited office of LDA on Tuesday.

She conducted a capacity building session for the officers of Town Planning and Metropolitan Planning wings of LDA and informed them about latest trends in construction of buildings.

She talked about the concept of smart cities and development of urban centres in future keeping in view the increasing population.

She suggested ways and means for meeting new challenges arising out of the urban growth and underlined the importance of construction of high rise buildings.