LAHORE: The Urban Development Wing of the Lahore Development Authority on Sunday launched construction work on a road to link Wahdat Road, Iqbal Town and Mustafa Town directly with Canal Road at Jinnah Hospital underpass point.

The engineering officials started the work after shifting the construction machinery to the site (Punjab University area along Canal Road).

Last month, the PU Syndicate had granted approval to give the varsity land measuring 305 kanals to LDA under an agreement for construction of the road. The syndicate accorded approval after it was informed that the proposed project will benefit the university in attaining financial resources of about Rs6 billion during the next 10 years through commercialisation of the road.

Officials say since the road project was dire need of the hour, the LDA decided to construct it at a cost of Rs1.7 billion.

"It will benefit a huge population, as the motorists desiring to access Canal Road from Wahdat Road or adjoining localities and vice versa can use this two kilometer road. They can also save fuel, time, and energy as well as avoid traffic congestion at Bhaikaywal intersection (Wahdat Road) and main PU intersection on Canal Road," an LDA official told Dawn on Sunday.

The official said under the agreement, the PU would not receive the cost of its land from LDA. And the LDA in return would construct the road, develop other sorts of infrastructure as per varsity's requirement. He said the road would first connect the Wahdat Road and then Multan Road (Kharak Stop) through Karim Block of Iqbal Town.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2014