Traffic moves: Model Town underpass opens for traffic
MM Alam Road construction on schedule.
Sharif says underpass is a Rs5 billion gift from the government to the people. PHOTO: NNI
LAHORE:
The Model Town underpass was opened on Friday by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that the Model Town underpass was completed in record time and was an example in quality and transparency. He said the underpass was a Rs5 billion gift from the government to the people. He said it would improve the flow of traffic.
Work on MM Alam road is proceeding according to schedule.
The road leading from Gulberg’s Main Boulevard to Model Town has opened on Tuesday. Officials have said that in next six days they will open the slip road alongside Century Tower so that traffic from Ferozepur Road can proceed to Centre Point. They said that over the next 10 days they will also be able to open one side of the road from Garden Town to access Ferozepur Road.
However, they said that motorists heading from Gulberg to Garden Town will have to wait a little longer as the Lahore Electric Supply Company had yet to remove its installations.
Work is also in progress on MM Alam Road. The work was started in November and was scheduled to end in four months. The road is partially closed for traffic.
Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (Tepa) officials said that according the current construction plan, the road would be 80 feet wide with a carriage of 22 feet on both sides. They said that eight feet was to be left on each side for parking and 10 feet for a footpath. They said that a storm water drain was being built beneath the footpath. Tepa Deputy Director (MM Alam Road construction project) Mirza Inam Ul Haq said that work was proceeding according to schedule and they would be able to complete it on time. However, he also said he could not give a date for the opening of the road.
Kalma Chowk underpass project director Khalid Alvi said that they were working at full pace and would be able to complete the work by the deadline. He said that they would try and open the slip road within a week. However, a Tepa official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Kalma Chowk underpass will likely open for traffic by February 15 missing the January 31 deadline set by the chief minister.
Model Town resident Burhan Ahmad said the construction at Model Town and Kalma Chowk had caused many problems for the citizens. He criticised the design of the underpass arguing that not allowing a motorist using the flyover enter the underpass would cause a traffic mess at Kalma Chowk. If only they had been more sensible, it would have been more convenient for Model Town residents, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2013.
The Model Town underpass was opened on Friday by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that the Model Town underpass was completed in record time and was an example in quality and transparency. He said the underpass was a Rs5 billion gift from the government to the people. He said it would improve the flow of traffic.
Work on MM Alam road is proceeding according to schedule.
The road leading from Gulberg’s Main Boulevard to Model Town has opened on Tuesday. Officials have said that in next six days they will open the slip road alongside Century Tower so that traffic from Ferozepur Road can proceed to Centre Point. They said that over the next 10 days they will also be able to open one side of the road from Garden Town to access Ferozepur Road.
However, they said that motorists heading from Gulberg to Garden Town will have to wait a little longer as the Lahore Electric Supply Company had yet to remove its installations.
Work is also in progress on MM Alam Road. The work was started in November and was scheduled to end in four months. The road is partially closed for traffic.
Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (Tepa) officials said that according the current construction plan, the road would be 80 feet wide with a carriage of 22 feet on both sides. They said that eight feet was to be left on each side for parking and 10 feet for a footpath. They said that a storm water drain was being built beneath the footpath. Tepa Deputy Director (MM Alam Road construction project) Mirza Inam Ul Haq said that work was proceeding according to schedule and they would be able to complete it on time. However, he also said he could not give a date for the opening of the road.
Kalma Chowk underpass project director Khalid Alvi said that they were working at full pace and would be able to complete the work by the deadline. He said that they would try and open the slip road within a week. However, a Tepa official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Kalma Chowk underpass will likely open for traffic by February 15 missing the January 31 deadline set by the chief minister.
Model Town resident Burhan Ahmad said the construction at Model Town and Kalma Chowk had caused many problems for the citizens. He criticised the design of the underpass arguing that not allowing a motorist using the flyover enter the underpass would cause a traffic mess at Kalma Chowk. If only they had been more sensible, it would have been more convenient for Model Town residents, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2013.