LAHORE: Commuting between Naseerabad and Gajjumatta by one’s own vehicle has been proving to be the test of patience and skill of drivers since the last fortnight or so when construction work began to make signal-free corridors for Metro Bus at Chungi Amar Sidhu and Qainchi on Ferozepur Road.

Dug-up portions and heaps of earth and construction materials have left 12-foot space for vehicular movement on both sides of the thoroughfare, causing snarl-ups that last for hours. Absence of traffic wardens and an alternative route have made the matters worse, even for pedestrians.

Work on the project, the second phase of the signal-free corridor for Metro Bus Service, started on Jan 28 and the Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (Tepa) officials say at least four months will be required for its completion. Four elevated U-turns and a roundabout for motorcycles are part of the project being executed by a consortium of construction companies. The cost of the project has been estimated at Rs5.89 billion.

Two elevated U-turns each would be constructed before Wapda’s office at Kamahan and in front of the Lahore General Hospital’s Gate No 1. The U-turns would be for traffic coming from both sides of Ferozepur Road, Defence Road and Kacha Kamahan.

“Before the launch of the project, the distance between Chungi Amar Sidhu and Qainchi could be covered in 20 to 25 minutes; now at least two hours are required. However, Metro Bus continues to operate at its usual speed without any hassle,” Yaseen, the driver of a wagon that plies between Lahore and Kasur, said.

“Traffic wardens appear only when some VIP would either visit the site or pass through the road from or to Ghazi Road, Cantt or DHA. Locals and drivers volunteer to make way for ambulances but wardens do not turn up,” says Yaseen.