LDA all set to make Walk & Shop Arena operational next month.

LAHORE -- The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) is all set to make its Walk and Shop Arena near Mian Plaza, Main Boulevard, Johar Town, operational as the government has asked it to go for auction of the shops, malls, restaurants and other facilities next month.

The project will prove to be a major source of income for the LDA in particular, the government and businesses in general, Dawn has learnt. It is going to be a major shopping and eating facility for the general public.

'The project was launched in 2018. However, the work on it was halted after the new government (of the PTI) came into power. The then government not only halted the construction but also seized funds allocated for it. It launched an inquiry against the officers and eventually led to complete stop of the work for two years. In 2021, the work resumed and it was completed last year,' a senior LDA official told Dawn on Saturday.

'The construction work on the project was launched when the sitting Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman was the LDA director general,' the official, requesting anonymity, added.

He said since the project required to be operational, Mr Zaman was of the view it should be showcased for all those interested in doing some businesses. He directed the LDA DG/Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa to take steps in this regard.

'Now the project is complete and set to be launched,' the official added.

According to a document, the salient features of the project include an amusement park over 15 kanal, amphitheatre, water channels, pergolas, music kiosk, flower fair, food kiosks, toddlers and kids playgrounds, mini golf, terror house, virtual reality, kids carousel, Ferris wheel, joy rides and wall climbing.

Constructed on an area of 130 kanals, the Rs2bn project has various architectural themes, including Mughal, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and American.

The Walk and Shop Arena has a mega shopping mall...