The construction work of the Lahore bridge (Qainchi intersection, Ferozepur Road) expansion project is likely to be concluded by end of next month, as 75 percent of the work has already been completed.
The project was stuck due to delay in issuance of NOC from Pakistan Railways, transferring of utility services, and other technical issues, media reported.
“I don’t think the project will complete by end of the ongoing month. However, I can say that we will complete and open this to traffic by September-end subject to having an impediment-free environment,” Project Director Mobeen Asghar told the media men.
The expansion project of Lahore Bridge is a part of the Rs 1.711 billion Gulab Devi underpass scheme. Although the underpass was started to traffic two months ago however work on the bridge expansion could not be continued due to a delay in NOC from the Pakistan Railways that was supposed to permit the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to start piling, girder launching while crossing over the railway lines at the intersection.
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It is pertinent to mention that the requirement for the Lahore bridge arose after the LDA in a survey, before the launch of the project, recognized that the vehicles moving to Gajjumata and Kasur from Kalma Chowk experience an adverse traffic jam at the present Lahore bridge because of low width of the road (two lanes).
“Keeping in view this, we decided to expand the bridge (the two-lane side heading towards Gajjumata, Kasur) by constructing another two-lane flyover along with the existing one with a space of one meter. And finally, we launched the construction work side by side the work on the Gulab Devi underpass,” Mr. Asghar described, adding, “The Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) is yet to shift a heavy tower of 132kV transmission line. Moreover, the shifting of Sui gas-related services are also to be done.”
“Hopefully, we will be able to complete this portion of the project by end of next month, as there is no hurdle at the moment,” Project Director added.
