LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) is set to start construction of the city’s main entry / exit gate near Thokar Niaz Baig intersection on Thursday (today).

“The contractor has mobilised the labour and machinery on the site to start civil work on Thursday (today). The project will be completed within two months or so,” LDA (Urban Development Wing) Chief Engineer Mazhar Hussain Khan told Dawn on Wednesday.

The project will have unique architectural, RCC (reinforced cement concrete) structure, electrification, landscaping and horticulture works. Designed by the Infrastructure Development Authority Punjab (IDAP) and being executed by the LDA, the project’s initial cost had been estimated at Rs29.029 million. However, after negotiation with contractors, the senior officials brought the cost down to Rs22.230 million and the project is scheduled to complete by December.

The width of the gate would be 130 feet and height 60 feet.

The chief engineer said the location of the project would be around 100 meter ahead of the police post (towards Thokar and Chuhng on Multan Road). A decision to shift the police post to the gate had not been taken so far, he said.

“We don’t know whether the police post will be shifted to this entry / exit gate or not as it is up to the police department to take a decision,” he added.

He said the project was planned many years ago but it could not be materialised. It was again taken up in the recent days to beautify Lahore’s entry / exit point (from and towards south Punjab).

“We discussed the project with LDA DG Usman Moazzam and others concerned and decided to undertake it without any delay,” he said. He said the civil works related to Thokar Niaz Baig’s intersection remodeling were also under way.

Mr Moazzam said the project would ensure smooth traffic flow while entering or exiting the city. “It will have a pleasant and aesthetic impression about Lahore. Besides this, we are also planning to establish recreational areas for the public on both sides of Canal Road,” he stated in a press release.

Moreover, he said, the work on laying 1,400-foot long new sewer pipes had also been completed.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2019