Weather hassle: Rain delays opening of new underpass

Fowara Chowk underpass was expected to be opened for traffic before Eidul Azha

LAHORE: The recent spell of rain has delayed the opening of the Fowara Chowk underpass. It was expected to be opened for traffic before Eidul Azha.

The Habib Construction Services (HCS), which is completing the Jail Road Gulberg Signal-Free Corridor project, had earlier said that they would try to open the underpass before Eid holidays.

Talking to The Express Tribune, HCS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shahid Saleem said that most of the work on the underpass had been completed. “The laying of asphalt has been delayed due to rain. After Eid holidays, the underpass will be opened once the asphalt covering is in place,” he said.

He said that engineers and labourers were working round-the-clock to meet the signal-free corridor before the October 30 deadline. “Work on the Shadman Chowk underpass has also entered its final phase. Despite heavy rains during the last couple of days, work on the project has continued,” he said.

Saleem said that workers had also widened most sections of the Jail Road and the Main Boulevard for building the U-turns. “Asphalt has been laid on the road from Liberty Market to the Main Market. The company has completed 60 per cent of the work on the project,” he said.

Work on the signal-free corridor was started on March 1. However, Lahore High Court stopped the work on March 6 after a petition was filed by a group of citizens. The work resumed on July 20 after the Supreme Court gave a go ahead to the project.

The original project cost estimate was Rs1.26 billion. The 7.6-kilometre corridor includes two underpasses at Shadman Chowk and Fowara Chowk and a T-junction near Siddiq Trade Centre. The project will ease the flow of traffic on the Jail Road and the Main Boulevard. The project includes remodeling and re-carpeting of the Main Boulevard and reconstruction of Jail Road from Sherpao Bridge to Qurtaba Chowk.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2015.