LAHORE: The government has decided to remodel major city markets in a bid to avert traffic congestion, pollution and other related issues.

Under a plot project of the plan to make Lahore a livable and sustainable city, the markets on the MM Alam Road in Gulberg and G-1 Market in Johar Town will be remodeled, Dawn has learnt.

“Smog has forced the government to find solutions to the issues and resolve the crisis of deteriorated air quality by reducing vehicular carbon emissions through improving traffic flows and taking the associated measures,” a senior Lahore Development Authority (LDA) officer said while talking to Dawn.

According to the officer, various congestion points had been identified on the MM Alam Road, including Hussain Chowk and Mini Market.

“Under the plan, the joint teams of the LDA and Traffic Engineering Planning Authority (Tepa) would be assigned the task to remove all kind of temporary and permanent encroachments in front of the shops, markets and malls, ensure parking at designated sites and removal of all kind of obstacles on the way of traffic.”

Likewise, the officer said, the services like electricity, cable, phone wires etc would be undergrounded and the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) had been asked to start working.

The parking at four sides (front, back, right and left) would also be ensured subject to availability of space while the business community had also been requested repeatedly to keep their front area, shops, offices etc clean, he added.

Talking about the G-1 Market in Johar Town, the officer termed it the toughest place in terms of traffic congestion, encroachments, parking and cleanliness.

For this, he revealed that the teams had a plan to remove all kinds of encroachments in the area designated for parking.

“Moreover, the spaces are being created to develop more parking lots on the back, right and left side of the market.”

The signage (boards etc) would also be made for all shops on one pattern and those encroaching upon the state land would be removed.

“We have taken all stakeholders, especially the traders, on board on this issue. And all have pledged to support this plan,” the officer maintained.

On the other hand, Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza, LDA Director General Tahir Farooq and other senior officials visited G-1 Market and observed the current situation.

On this occasion, the LDA officers concerned briefed the officers on the remodeling plan.

The DC and DG directed the team to start work as soon as possible. They asked the team members to keep in touch with Lesco and other departments.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2024