LAHORE: Lack of funds has delayed completion of over Rs3.1 billion Barki Road rehabilitation and remodelling project (Phase-1), forcing the motorists and other commuters to bear the environmental and financial impacts of the slow-paced construction activity.

The situation has been further compounded with the advent of monsoon rains, doubling the misery of those using this important road to reach various destinations, leaving a question mark on the implementation of development schemes, particularly in Lahore.

“Since last year, we have been bearing the brunt of the delayed construction work on this major road, as the contractors dismantled the road, did excavation for sewerage and other works, putting the health of a large population at stake,” comments a motorist, who has to daily commute between his office and home, using the artery.

“Delay in completion of this road means that the government is sleeping,” he deplores, adding that the construction works, except sewerage/drainage, has been either halted or being done at a snail’s pace.

Officials blame lack of funding for slow-paced work on scheme

The 6.1km-long Barki Road (Phase-1) project had been launched last year with a completion timeline till June, this year. However, the meager funds released by the government time to time delayed this important scheme, annoying the public at large.

Sources say there is no issue of funds shortage for the works being done by the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco), adding that the problem occurred due to nonavailability of funds required by the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) for completion of the project.

“The real issue is that adequate funds are not being released for this project, which rendered us unable to complete it at the earliest,” LDA Chief Engineer (II) Asrar Saeed told Dawn.

“During the last fiscal year, we received a sum of Rs290 million that was spent accordingly. This year, we have come to know that only Rs100m will be spent on this project. So, when there would be meager allocation of funds, there would be delay in the project completion,” he explains.

According to Mr Saeed, the project titled Dualisation of Barki Road from Abdullah Gul Interchange to Ghawindi Check Post (Phase-1 and 2) envisaged construction of a six-lane road (three each on both sides), along with provision of parking and other amenities.

“Rs3.1 billion are to be spent on the Phase-1 of this project, followed by billions of rupees to be spent to on the Phase-2 (15km), which are yet to be approved by the government,” the LDA chief engineer says, adding that the funds related to works assigned to Wasa are already available.

“There is no shortage of funds required by Wasa for laying the major 2.5km-long sewer line on one side. Similarly, the funds required by Lesco for the relocation of high-tension transmission line have already been released,” he maintained, adding that the LDA’s scope of work also included provision of parking spaces, footpaths and other facilities.

Meanwhile, the project affectees, including the area residents and shopkeepers etc doing business along the road, criticise the Punjab government, especially the LDA, for delay in its completion.

Some of them, using social media, highlighted the increasing accidents, damage to vehicles, pedestrians’ issues, traffic congestion, losses to businesses and serious environmental impact of the delayed project.

They urged expedited construction work in three shifts, sprinkling of water on the dismantled road and early completion of the project.

“We want nothing except completion of this project at the earliest,” demanded a commuter.

Dr Ahmad Naeem Akhtar, a resident of Paragon City located on Burki Road, says the Punjab government must prepare alternative plans before the start of any road-related development work to address the public agony.

He says with schools and colleges reopening in less than a month, the project activities will cause severe traffic issues for students and their parents using the road. The undue delay in the development works needs serious attention of the authorities concerned, he adds.

He urges the chief minister on behalf of the Paragon City residents to look into the issue at the earliest to minimise the sufferings of the people, especially of those using the road daily to reach their workplaces or picking and dropping schoolchildren.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2026