LAHORE: The Ichhra Bazaar restoration and modernisation project has almost been completed with the project expected to be completed by May 25.

“The project is almost complete, as 92pc work has been completed. The remaining work will take around 12 days or more, as we are trying hard to complete it fully by May 25, before Eid,” Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Chief Engineer-1 Mazhar Hussain Khan told Dawn when contacted on Thursday. “It is a unique project in the city as envisioned by the chief minister,” he added.

The core objective of the project is to eliminate congestion, ease shoppers’ mobility, modernise and upgrade facades and resolve various other civic issues. The around Rs800 million project titled “Revitalisation of Ichhra Bazaar” has been funded by the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL), whereas it is being executed by LDA.

Started on December 1 last year, the project, planned in six months, had the completion deadline of May 30. The revitalised area consists of around 2,650 feet, including 1,600 feet (length) of the main Ichhra Bazaar, 600 feet length along the Ferozepur Road, 200 feet length of the Zaildar Road and 50 feet each for five links of the main bazaar (260 feet in total). The total number of shops in the bazaar is about 350.

According to a document, the scope of the project included construction of grand cutting-edge designed entrance blended with cultural traditions, facade uplift through provision of vertical louvres with powdered coated paint, application of a durable, textured wall coating and weather shield paint for end and subsequent floors.

It also included uniformity of shops through consistent shutter and signage designs having architectural columns, uniform paint, height etc, provision of horizontal louvres and shop banner with laser-cut 3D acrylic alphabets, CNC-cut decorative grill for electric fixtures, road/street signage and soft landscaping works at the main entrance and renovation of existing washroom blocks.

To restrict vehicular movement and prioritise safe, accessible and pedestrian-friendly streets, the works related to patterned cobblestones, concrete boulders at certain locations, installation of rumble strips/tactile tiles for visually-impaired persons and porcelain tiles for side pathways with wheelchair ramps at certain locations has also been carried out.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2026