LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) is going to introduce a sustainable growth model in three major housing schemes and a couple of Katchi Abadis in a bid to ensure a healthy, environment-friendly and livable atmosphere.

The proposal was recently shared by the top LDA management in a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz before Eidul Fitr and she reportedly accepted and appreciated the proposal, giving the LDA a go-ahead to implement the model as early as possible, Dawn has learnt.

Under the new model, certain major housing schemes and some Karchi Abadis will have dedicated bicycle lanes, solar-powered street lights, designated vending/rehri (pushcarts) points, central recreational areas, pedestrian walkways, rainwater harvesting wells and greenification, improved infrastructure with immediate road repair, lane marking, traffic/street signage and effective enforcement to regulate traffic and other businesses etc.

The pilot project will be launched at the LDA Avenue-1 Housing Scheme (Raiwind Road) for Rs170m and it will be completed within a period of three months. Johar Town will be the first housing scheme where this model will be introduced formally within a period of six months. The total cost of the project in Johar Town is estimated to be Rs1.7bn. After Johar Town, the same model will be followed in the Allama Iqbal Town where an amount of Rs1.1bn has been estimated to be spent in a period of six months. Gulberg will have this project implemented within a period of one year and an amount of Rs3bn is expected to be spent in the area. In Gulberg, the MM-Alam Road (Gulberg) will also have a separate project within a period of four months with Rs600m.

The project is part of a 10-year plan to transform Lahore into livable city

Some Katchi Abadis have also been identified where the model would be launched within a period of six months with Rs100m.

“Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz wants to see Lahore as a unique city in Pakistan in terms of improved environment that can contribute to making the city sustainable and livable where all residents can live a long healthy life,” LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said while talking to Dawn about the project.

“We have started working under a 10-year visionary plan to transform the entire Lahore into a sustainable and livable city. Our slogan is “Sustainable Development towards a Livable City.”

The DG said that under a separate plan, titled “Ease of Mobility and Effective Traffic Management,” a survey had been completed and under this plan worth over Rs601m would be spent within a period of six months. According to him, the plan aims at revamping all entry/exit points of Lahore, fixing of hurdles (tyre killers) to stop traffic rules violators, allowing display of signage on designated points, carrying out roads’ patchwork and road designing interventions at 82 locations.

“We hope that we will be able to make Lahore a sustainable, livable and organised city,” the DG asserted.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2024