Human Rights Commission of Pakistan general secretary IA Rehman said the degradation of environment caused by construction work violated basic human rights. PHOTO:APP
LAHORE: The government’s plans to develop Lahore violate best practices in big cities all over the world, Lahore Conservation Society president Imrana Tiwana said on Monday. She was addressing a press conference by Lahore Bachao Tehreek and Lahore Conservation Society.
Tiwana said the government’s plans to construct an elevated expressway; a 7 km-long signal-free corridor from Mozang Qurtuba Chowk to Liberty; increasing the depth of underpasses by 5ft to allow heavy traffic and large buses; and a plan to declare some agricultural areas as urban would increase the burden on the city’s already depleting resources.
She said development models incorporating social mobility were used throughout the world. This approach catered to all types of traffic, including pedestrians, which construction of new highways does not take into consideration.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan general secretary IA Rehman said the degradation of environment caused by construction work violated basic human rights. “I want to know who comes up with such ideas and why citizens’ views are ignored.”
Rehman said billions were being spent on developing new housing societies and expressways that will not benefit the masses. Activist Faryal Gauhar said the government should provide a cost-benefit analysis. She said Rs15 billion was being spent on the Elevated Expressway. “The money would be better spent elsewhere.” Architect Raza Ali Dada said it was important for planners to demonstrate a sense of ownership when planning for the city.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 17th, 2015.
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