Residents and shopkeepers near Lahore’s Neela Gumbad have raised concerns after the main route leading to the cycle market was closed for construction work under the area’s restoration plan.
The ongoing development has blocked customer access to the Anarkali Bazaar, leaving traders worried about sharp declines in daily business.
Shopkeepers said the road closure has discouraged buyers from visiting the market, creating financial hardships for hundreds of small businesses. They added that they have submitted a formal request to the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore, informing the administration about the difficulties caused by the shutdown.
The affected traders have also appealed to the Chief Minister of Punjab to compensate them for their losses. They warned that the restoration work is expected to continue for 15 months, during which business activity may remain severely disrupted.
They urged the government to restore access routes as soon as possible to prevent further economic damage to the centuries-old market area.