LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan is likely to perform groundbreaking of three major projects in the provincial metropolis on July 12 (Monday).

Two projects -- Sheranwala Gate flyover and rainwater harvesting/management – are being constructed in the constituency of PML-N leader Hamza Shehbaz. The third project is Shahkam Chowk overhead bridge.

Official sources term the PM’s visit very important in terms of the PTI’s focus on the infrastructure development projects in Lahore, known as the stronghold of the PML-N.

“The PM was scheduled to perform groundbreaking of the three projects this week. The date was confirmed twice and then cancelled. Now the final date conveyed to the Punjab government is July 12 (Monday),” a senior official told Dawn.

The Rs4.9bn Sheranwala Gate project has one kilometre long flyover (perhaps the longest in the city, so far) from the Naulakha Police Station to the Sheranwala Gate. The flyover, having 400 metre elevation, is expected to resolve the traffic problems on Circular Road where around 121,421 vehicles pass daily. The cost of the project includes over Rs2bn being spent on the acquisition of 22-kanal land.

The Rs197m rainwater management project envisages storing the rainwater and making it usable for various purposes, including raising underground water table and watering plants in the city.

The Rs4.3bn Shahkam Chowk overhead project aims at easing the public mobility on the Link Canal Road (from Thokar Niaz Beg to Shahkam Chowk), traffic congestion at Shahkam intersection and the roads linking localities of Bahria Town, Mohlanwal Stop (Multan Road) and New Defence. The work on the project was launched by the contractor last month.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2021