LAHORE: The divisional administration will inaugurate beautification of the Dharampura underpass and Istanbul Chowk within a week as the work on both sites is almost at the completion stage.

The work was launched sometime ago under the Beautification of the Lahore Framework (BLF), a project initiated by the divisional administration with its own resources, according to officials.

The administration is getting completed the work related to fixing of mettle-manufactured cat eyes on two ceilings of the Dharampura underpass and construction of a state-of-the-art birdhouse at Istanbul Chowk. The birdhouse comprises a structure where birds can comfortably land for picking food.

“Before launching the pilot project, we involved students of the National College of Arts, PHA, CDGL, experts of the LBF (a national NGO focusing on Lahore’s natural beauty and conservation) and people from different walks of life. After getting their input, we decided to beautify the underpass and the intersection. And now the work is almost completed,” Lahore Commissioner Abdullah Sumbal told Dawn on Thursday.

He said a boat, previously placed at the Istanbul intersection, had been removed. He claimed the structure built at the intersection would help increase the number of birds there.

The commissioner said the fixation/installation of mettle cat eyes on the ceilings of the underpass would also help motorists in driving safely during the night hours.

“Initially, I have selected Shaukat Ali Road and Garhi Shahu Road from the total 13 major boulevards for setting up state-of-the-art waiting sheds for bus passengers as part of a city’s beautifying drive. Later, this activity will be expanded to other roads,” he said.

“We will also allow the publicity of various products through signboards, etc at these modern waiting sheds which will be set up in collaboration with the Lahore Transport Company,” Mr Sumbal said.

CLEANLINESS: Waste management experts, under the aegis of a Turkish firm (Albayrak), have launched a cleanliness drive in the city in an effort to check pollution around historical sites/monuments.

“Historical buildings and monuments are the assets of any nation and we are taking measures to preserve this legacy through proper sanitation and cleanliness in and around these monuments/sites,” said Huseyin Kartal, company’s senior manager (operations), while speaking to people during the cleanliness of Javed Manzil on Allama Iqbal Road here on Thursday.

An awareness camp was established and brochures were also distributed among shopkeepers, passengers and residents.

The surroundings, according to a spokesperson, were mechanically washed amid an awareness walk organized there.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play