LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has approved a major plan to expand parking infrastructure in Lahore and other large urban centres of the province, in a move aimed at addressing chronic parking shortages, illegal roadside parking and growing traffic congestion in commercial areas. Under the proposed initiative, modern underground parking plazas and smart parking systems will be developed in inner Lahore, the Walled City and major business districts. Officials said the plan is part of a broader urban traffic management strategy designed to improve vehicle movement, reduce pressure on busy roads and provide organised parking facilities for citizens. In Lahore, preparations are already under way to expand the network of underground parking plazas. According to officials, construction work is in progress on several parking facilities being managed by the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency. A new parking plaza has also been proposed near Bhati Gate, while additional sites inside the Walled City are being identified and developed in phases. The Walled City of Lahore Authority has been assigned the task of identifying suitable land and preparing feasibility studies for the proposed parking projects. The Lahore Development Authority will oversee engineering, design and construction work after the locations are finalised. Officials said the initiative will not remain limited to Lahore. Deputy commissioners of other major cities facing serious parking problems have also been asked to submit proposals for new parking plazas. These proposals will help the provincial government prepare a wider parking development program for urban centres across Punjab. Sources said more than 20 parking plazas are likely to be included in the upcoming Annual Development Program. The final list of projects will be prepared after recommendations from district administrations, relevant authorities and technical institutions. After technical review and formal approval by the LDA forum, the proposed projects are expected to be included in the next provincial budget for funding allocation. Officials believe the plan, once implemented, could help reduce traffic bottlenecks in busy markets and improve urban mobility in Lahore and other Punjab cities.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved strict action against those dumping animal remains and offal in streets, neighborhoods, prohibited places, drains, canals and other public areas during Eidul Azha. Violators will face a fine of Rs50,000. A comprehensive plan for foolproof cleanliness arrangements during Eidul Azha was finalized during a video link meeting chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister. The meeting decided to establish vigilance squads to prevent and monitor the dumping of animal remains and offal at prohibited locations. The Chief Minister directed authorities to launch an extensive public awareness campaign to discourage citizens from throwing animal remains and offal at banned sites. She also ordered special cleanliness arrangements in drains, canals, main roads, intersections, graveyards, commercial markets, railway colonies, cantonment areas and private housing societies across every city. The meeting also ordered special cleanliness arrangements in 2,687 major commercial markets across Punjab. Maryam Nawaz Sharif said all departments must work as one government unit for cleanliness during Eidul Azha. She made it clear that good performance would be rewarded and appreciated, while complaints would lead to accountability through a system of reward and punishment. Provincial Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique and Local Government Secretary Mian Shakeel Ahmad briefed the meeting. They said commercial markets, main roads and intersections would be cleaned during the final hours of Chand Raat. Degradable shopping bags would be provided for the disposal of animal remains and offal, while Suthra Punjab staff would carry out door to door collection. The briefing further stated that 15 additional loader rickshaws would be provided to each municipal corporation and tehsil, while four additional loader rickshaws would be made available in every union council. On the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, rose water spray would also be carried out at Eid prayer gatherings and mosques. Suthra Punjab teams will remain active before Eid, on Eid day and until the third day of Eidul Azha. The teams will also make public announcements through rickshaws to create awareness about cleanliness. Across the province, 176,000 sanitary workers and more than 8,000 temporary workers will participate in the Eid cleanliness operation. For the collection of animal remains and offal, 3,800 primary collection centers will be established, while 3,100 dumping sites have been designated. Overall, 7,000 dumping points will be set up across the province for the disposal of animal waste. The availability of dewatering machines, jetter sets and suction units will be ensured for cleaning drains. As part of the Suthra Punjab Eid operation, 4,500 special camps will be set up across the province, while special cleanliness arrangements will be made at 1,200 collective sacrifice sites. More than 40,000 additional vehicles will be used across Punjab during the Eidul Azha Suthra Punjab operation. Loader rickshaws, mini dumpers, tractor trolleys and pickup vehicles will be hired for the cleanliness operation. The meeting was informed that graveyards would also be specially cleaned before Chand Raat. Suthra Punjab teams will be deployed at 285 cattle markets and 171 sale points across Punjab to ensure cleanliness arrangements.

Lahore : Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan Vice Chairman of the Lahore Development Authority, Mian Marghoob Ahmed, visited various development projects in Lahore along with LDA Director General Tahir Farooq and reviewed the pace, quality and completion stages of ongoing works. During the visit, the LDA vice chairman and director general inspected development activities in several areas, including Railway Station, Misri Shah, Shad Bagh, Data Darbar and Bhatti Chowk. Chief Engineer LDA Israr Saeed and Chief Engineer TEPA Iqrar Hussain briefed them in detail on the progress of the projects. Officials were informed that development work around the Railway Station is moving rapidly toward completion. A parking area is being developed in front of the Railway Station, while greenery and finishing work are also underway. The briefing stated that a colorful dancing fountain will also be installed in the parking area in front of the Railway Station to enhance the beauty of the area. According to LDA officials, work on the upgradation of building facades from Railway Station to Circular Road is also progressing swiftly. Teams are also working on the beautification of the railway wall, Ek Moria Pul and Do Moria Pul. Vice Chairman LDA Mian Marghoob Ahmed and DG LDA Tahir Farooq also reviewed the Data Darbar expansion project and the under construction Bhatti Chowk underpass. According to the briefing, 55 percent of work on the Bhatti Chowk underpass has been completed. Excavation of Ramp One has been completed, while excavation work on Ramp Two is underway. On the occasion, the LDA vice chairman and director general directed the relevant teams to use all available resources to complete the Bhatti Chowk underpass before the set deadline. During the briefing on the Data Darbar expansion project, officials said development work is continuing simultaneously on all components of the project. Tile work is underway at the pedestrian underpass, along with finishing works, while finishing work is also in progress at the Data Darbar piazza, building facades and parking area. Later, the LDA vice chairman and director general visited different areas of Misri Shah and Shad Bagh. Officials said the LDA is carrying out development work in various parts of Misri Shah under the urban regeneration initiative. Mian Marghoob Ahmed and the LDA director general also reviewed the proposed road remodeling plan at Tokay Wala Chowk in Shad Bagh and directed the relevant officers to ensure public convenience, smooth traffic flow and high quality standards in the projects.