The Lahore Development Authority’s (LDA) has begun work on an underground parking plaza at Nasser Bagh, modeled on the city’s Neela Gumbad design. The project will occupy 11 kanals and create two basement levels with space for 256 cars and 510 motorcycles.
According to Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (TEPA), the agency executing the project, the plaza aims to ease congestion, improve air quality by reducing idling, and provide secure off-street parking for motorists.
Officials added that 123 trees were transplanted as part of site preparation and that horticulture experts supervised the work. However, the project has drawn sharp criticism from residents and conservation groups, who say the landscaping and heritage features will suffer.
Civil society organisations have called a protest for December 2 to register their objections. Dr. Ajaz Anwar of the Lahore Conservation Society warned the government to reconsider the site and urged officials to relocate the plaza to a less sensitive area.
Representatives of nearby colleges and art institutions have signaled plans to join the demonstration, citing concerns over heritage loss and public green space.