Govt for early completion of flyovers.

LAHORE -- Taking notice of the delay of the Aik Moria Pul and Data Ganj Bakhsh flyover projects, the Punjab government has sought their completion as soon as possible to ensure smooth flow of traffic and to avert environmental issues in the surrounding areas.

'We want the Aik Moria Pul project, including its extension phase, as early as possible. Moreover, the Data Ganj Bakhsh Flyover (Sheranwala Gate) project should also be completed at the earliest,' Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department (HUD and PHED) Secretary Mian Shakeel Ahmed said during his visit to both the projects on Saturday.

He was accompanied by Lahore Development Authority Director General (DG) Muhammad Ali Randhawa.

It may be mentioned that the Rs700m Aik Moria Pul project continues to face delays since long. The project is critical to making a smooth flow of traffic and public mobility in the area around the Walled City.

Launched around three years ago by the LDA, the project is still going on even after missing two deadlines. According to official sources, the project team has completed the civil works but the land acquisition of Banarsi DA's building is yet to be done. As soon as it is acquired, the team will be able to demolish this and open the fourth passage (holes/underpass) for the public. The reason behind the delay in the land acquisition is that the families living in the building are demanding a compensation package as was given to the affectees of the Lahore Orange Line train project.

As far as the Data Ganj Bakhsh Flyover Project (formerly the Sheranwala Gate Project) is concerned, its 93pc work, including completion and opening of flyover for the traffic, has been done. However, the allied works, including construction of a road with U-turns, slip roads, concrete pavements, shifting of utility services etc may take some more time to complete.

The construction work on the Rs5bn Sheranwala Gate project was launched in June last year and it was set to be completed by March 18. However, various issues such as delay in land acquisition at the tyre market and other...