LAHORE: Construction of the Rs. 3.10bn Akbar Chowk flyover and underpass project in Lahore has been delayed further as the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) report is still being vetted by experts at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET).
The start of construction work, which was scheduled for two weeks from now, may be pushed back further due to the EIA report’s delayed submission.
Meanwhile, a case against the project is still pending before the Lahore High Court (LHC), which had directed authorities to send the EIA report to the UET for vetting.
The Punjab government has directed the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to ensure the transplantation of 59 trees in the project area to improve the environment, rather than chopping them down.
A senior LDA official working on the project stated that “the project team has no option but to wait as we cannot resume the construction work until the LHC allows us to do so”.
The delay in the resumption of construction work on the project is leading to a cost increase, which may go beyond 5% to 10% of the total cost.
Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi presided over a meeting and directed the LDA engineering wing to use the latest techniques and machines to uproot, relocate, and transplant the trees in the project area.
Before launching construction work, a viable and trouble-free traffic diversion plan must be in place, according to the CM.
Please complete this project earlier because this project is very important for Lahore city and for Pakistan also. This project can change Lahore city like New york.
Why such issues were not taken into consideration in advance?
Now who ever filed case against construction works must be punished as equal to increased cost of the project if the Environment Report is favoring the project.