LAHORE: The much-awaited Elevated Expressway project in Lahore has experienced a significant cost escalation of over Rs. 20 billion due to its delayed initiation.
Sources within the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) revealed that although the project had been planned and studied for years, it faced various obstacles preventing its commencement.
Former Chief Minister Usman Buzdar approved the project on February 16, 2022, with a budget of Rs. 60 billion allocated by the cabinet standing committee for finance and development as part of the annual development program.
Initial plans indicated that former Prime Minister Imran Khan would lay the foundation stone for the expressway, which aimed to connect the main boulevard in Gulberg to Motorway M2, providing convenient access to the motorway.
Subsequently, on November 7, 2022, the project received approval from former Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, who emphasized the need to expedite the Expressway Project.
During this time, the estimated cost of the project increased to Rs. 85 billion as the construction of the four-lane elevated expressway from east to west in Lahore was considered.
In a recent development, Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in the 2nd meeting of the authority, approved the project once again, estimating its cost at Rs. 81 billion.
The CM expressed the LDA’s commitment to improving road infrastructure and easing traffic congestion across the city.
Chief Engineer of LDA, Asrar Saeed, provided a briefing on the project, highlighting its key features.
The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion on major arteries by providing an alternative route, resulting in fuel and time savings as well as reduced carbon emissions.
Furthermore, the proposed expressway includes toll entry and exit points, a dedicated metro bus lane, and stations, as suggested by the LDA in consultation with NESPAK.
Besides, the project’s PC-1 has been prepared, and land acquisition has already been completed.
The Chief Engineer of LDA acknowledged that the delay in starting the project led to a significant cost escalation, warning that further delays would contribute to additional cost increases.
Source: The News
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This escalation in cost of constructing the Express Way is due to the negligence of the then govt in power has made a huge loss of RS.20 billion is not excusable.