LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) plans to undertake the patchwork of the potholed Canal Road, which has been in rundown condition because of poor maintenance by the departments concerned, including Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (Tepa), the City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) and the Communication and Works Department (C and WD).

Canal Road, one of the longest arteries of Lahore with signal-free corridors from Thokar to Harbanspura, has underpasses near Doctors Hospital, Jinnah Hospital, Punjab University Campuses, Muslim Town, Ferozepur Road, FC College, Jail Road, The Mall, Dharmpura, Mughalpura and Harbanspura.

“Whenever I use Canal Road, potholed-ridden road jolts my car due to rutting and raised or depressed central crossing line and the area covered by iron shades/layer,” said Sajjad, a motorist.

He said he had seen several accidents on the road involving mainly the road condition.

An LDA engineer from the urban development wing told Dawn a plan had been devised to undertake patchwork of the underpasses and dilapidated sections of the road.

The LDA, he said, was not concerned with the maintenance of the underpasses as they were constructed either by the CDGL, Tepa or the C and WD.

“The LDA is only to widen Canal Road but I clearly tell you that a plan has been made to maintain the underpasses,” he said.

The official, who desired to be unnamed, said some officials said the money should not be spent on the patchwork as road was being widened and patchwork could be done during the widening project.

“Some individuals, groups or NGOs filed petitions in the court and sought orders restricting the government from widening the road,” the official added.

As the widening project was in litigation, he said, he had heard that the quarters concerned had asked the authorities to carry out maintenance work at various underpasses and stretches of Canal Road.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2014