The Norwegian finance assistance and the Aga Khan Trust’s technical guidance have made the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) complete about 80pc restoration work of the Shahi Hamam (Royal Bath) and adjacent rich heritage buildings near Delhi Gate.

The work was launched after the Norwegian Embassy in Islamabad approved funds of Rs600 million for the project.

Since the funds allocated earlier were supposed to be spent on the Shahi Hamam, the WCLA wanted to extend the project with funds worth Rs17.5m. It prepared another proposal sometime ago and sought restoration of 17 rooms (Hujras) of Masjid Wazir Khan.

“We wanted to extend this project to restore other heritage sites, we asked the Norwegian Embassy to fund Rs17.5m in this regard. We moved another proposal seeking restoration of 17 Hujras of Wazir Khan Mosque for Rs12m. These were also accepted by the donor,” explains WCLA Director (Administration) Shahid Mahmood.

To mature the aforementioned proposals, a team of the donors, led by the Norwegian ambassador, visited Lahore last week and signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the WCLA team, he said.

Mr Mahmood said the donors were taking interest in the restoration of heritage buildings situated within the territorial jurisdiction of the Walled City. They might fund more other projects being prepared for the restoration/rehabilitation of the select Walled City buildings, he said, adding the work the WCLA was executing with donors’ funds included façade rehabilitation and infrastructure development at various spots of the Walled City.

On the other hand, Shahid Mahmood said, the Punjab government had also approved proposals related to package-2, 3 and 4 of the main Walled City project and acquisition of a couple of Havelies (old houses).

“Under package-2, 3, 4 worth Rs1,703m, we plan to restore buildings of rich heritage from Kotwali Chowk to Masti Gate, Akbari Gate and Rim Market. And under the second proposal worth Rs751m, we want to acquire a couple of Havelies that will be restored and later used for various cultural activities,” he added.

Mr Mehmood said a grant of Rs751m to acquire Havelies was also received to WCLA last week while the main proposal worth Rs1,703m had also been accepted by the government. The WCLA would soon receive this money too from the government.

The City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) is required to constitute a special team to thoroughly visit the Badami Bagh Truck Stand/Terminal and resolve various issues of the goods transporters. At present, the transporters have various issues with the top officials dealing with the affairs of the terminal.

“We are really in trouble as we are being harassed in the name of illegal encroachment and parking, etc,” says Muhammad Yasir, an office-bearer of the goods transporters association. He also complained against the behaviour of the Badami Bagh terminal administrator and some other officials.

“Their behaviour is rude. Sometime they come and shout for removing the parked trucks, etc. Recently, they got possession of a drivers’ restroom from us unnecessarily, terming it unlawful,” he deplored.

He demanded the government either shift the terminal to some other place or at least ensure availability of requisite facilities.–khalidpak284@yahoo.com

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2014