Kalma Chowk Underpass: Open for business

Chief minister says he wanted the pass open immediately instead of waiting a few days for beautification.

LAHORE: The Kalma Chowk Underpass was inaugurated by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday. While the underpass is open for traffic, the beautification work remains to be completed.

In his inauguration speech, Sharif, appreciated the efforts of the Lahore Development Authority General Director Ahad Khan Cheema for successfully completing both the underpass and the Metro Bus Service project.

Comparing Cheema and MNA Umer Sohail Zia Butt, he said while the former got up at 6am the latter refused to get up before mid-day.

Sharif said that he had insisted that the underpass be opened right away even though he was told that some more time was needed to complete the beautification work. He said the underpass was for the public and he would not have wanted it delayed even for an hour.

The chief minister was critical of NESPAK, the consultants on the project, but some of its officers did get words of appreciation. The CM also thanked Lahore Transport Company Chairman Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan.

Cheema said a traffic count two years back showed that Kalma Chowk was used by around 400,000 vehicles everyday. He said the Kalma Chowk flyover accommodated 150,000 vehicles. He said as the Metro Bus Service project neared completion in November the need for an underpass was realised. He said within eight days arrangements were made to start its construction.

He said that during the planning phase the biggest challenge was to manage around 50,000 vehicles approaching the intersection from the direction of Model Town and Kasur. He said an elevated ramp was placed to allow traffic from Model Town to directly enter the barrel. Some 150,000 vehicles will use the underpass.

He said the unforeseen land slides had delayed the project. Cheema said the project was awarded on December 11 to contractors and was completed in 82 days.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2013.