GUJRAT: The first ever service area along Lahore-Sialkot Motorway (LSM) M-11 has become operational, however, the fuel station is yet to be made available at the location.

Though the 103-kilometre long LSM route was opened for traffic on March 18, 2020, but it took at least three years and four months to formally make the one of the two service areas, designed on both sides of the motorway, functional.

The motorists will face a problem of fuel shortage along the LSM, however, the National Highway Authority (NHA) says a makeshift filling station, toilets and a tuck shop are available near the Lahore toll plaza of the LSM.

According to an official deputed at the site, work on a fuel station at the already operational service area is underway and it may take at least a couple of months to complete the project.

He said an electric vehicle charging station would also be set up in the parking area soon besides the provision of other facilities for the visitors whereas a zipline for the tourists might also be added in the area.

He said a truck stand had been built on the rear side of the service area where a restaurant for the crew of heavy vehicles would be opened.

Currently the service area has a cafe, tuck shops, a mosque, a parking lot and toilets.

The visitors complain of high rates of food and beverages, but the staff at these facilities say the owners have to pay a high rent of the shops forcing them to charge higher rates.

They say there is a low ratio of customers in the area as it became operational only a couple of weeks ago, but hopefully it will get more customers with the provision of more facilities at the site.

The M-11 connects Lahore with the industrial towns like Sialkot, Wazirabad, Gujrat and Gujranwala whereas its 69km long extension between Sambrial and Kharian is underway for the last one year which will be later on extended to Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2023