LAHORE, Nov 20: Advocate M.D. Tahir has challenged in the Lahore High Court the Ring Road project on the plea that it will displace thousands of people and destroy markets and mosques.

Through a writ petition on Saturday, the lawyer has requested the court to issue directions to the Punjab government and the City District Government to refrain from executing the project in its present form. The lawyer-petitioner stated that the authorities be directed to revize the plan as was originally conceived.

The petitioner submitted that the Ring Road project in its present form would appropriate another 60 feet of Bund Road. He submitted that houses in as many as eight localities on Bund Road would have to be demolished for the project to displace thousands of residents. Besides, 18 industrial and commercial sites like godowns, factories, markets, shops, a marriage hall, gas stations and offices would also be affected in addition to 14 mosques.

Giving a counter proposal, the petitioner submitted that the Ring Road could be constructed along the Ravi to save population and infrastructure and benefit the residents of Allama Iqbal Town, Jauhar Town, Wapda Town, Township and housing schemes on Multan Road. He submitted that the original project covered an area of 78 kilometres along the Ring Road whereas the revised plan stood reduced to 52 kilometres.