Ring Road’s modified plan challenged in LHC

Petitioner says original route was changed to benefit influential people

LAHORE: The construction of the modified part of the Lahore Ring Road has been challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC) which, according to the petitioner, was prepared merely to give benefit to some politically influential individuals.

Petitioner Muhammad Illyas Chaudhry filed a petition in the LHC through Barrister Mian Belal Ahmad, contending that the petitioner was the absolute freehold owner-in-possession of land measuring four kanals and 12 marlas and another piece measuring one kanal and 16 marlas situated in Mauza Tukra Alam Shah, Tehsil Raiwind, Lahore district.

He contended that the government of Punjab through the secretary for communications and works department had issued a notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act of 1894, for acquiring land for the construction of Lahore Ring Road Project Southern Loop (Phase–II) in the revenue estate of Tukra Alam Shah, District Lahore, specifying the description (Khasra numbers) of the immovable properties, which were subject to acquisition.

“As per the notification of June 16, 2008, issued under Section 4 of Act, and in pursuance of the survey reports and site plans chalked out and prepared for the construction of the Lahore Ring Road Southern Loop–III in the revenue estate of Tukra Alam Shah, the alignment of the project, as originally conceived, was a straight road, without any curve, bend or loop whatsoever.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2020.