TEPA to remodel roads leading to Jain Mandir Chowk

* Project will facilitate traffic and decrease pollution
* Roads will be remodelled, drainage improved, road signs put up

By Arshad Dogar

LAHORE: The Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA) has prepared a project to remodel roads leading to Jain Mandir Chowk to facilitate traffic flow. Jain Mandir Chowk is one of the busiest intersections in the city and many important government offices, educational institutions and commercial areas lie on roads leading to and from it.

The project is called the ‘Road Remodelling and Traffic Circulation Plan for City Centre Part of Government Complex and Area Close to Jain Mandir’ and will cost approximately Rs 200 million. Work on it will start in July this year and will be completed by the end of the year. More than 11 roads including Lake Road, Lytton Road, Cust Road, Edward Road, Church Road, Ustad Allah Buksh Road, McLagon Road, Nabha Road, Library Road, Bank Road and Lodge Road will be remodelled and improved. Also, Jain Mandir Chowk will be widened.

The study conducted by TEPA stated that 469 square metres had been encroached on near Istanbul Chowk (close to the National College of Arts), 548 square metres at Old Anarkali and 792 square metres at Jain Mandir Chowk. The list of encroachments includes a mosque at Jain Mandir Chowk, which will also be removed.

The Punjab government has sponsored the project and TEPA is in charge of it. The city government will operate and maintain it.

The 11 roads mentioned above lead to the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Punjab Planning and Development Board, Directorate of Civil Defence Punjab, AG Office, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Board of Revenue Punjab, National College of Arts, Central Police Office, Town Hall and Punjab University.

The PC-1 states that even though the area has well-planned roads and streets, traffic congestions, illegal parking and encroachments largely nullify the efficient network.

TEPA engineers say road space is sufficient but badly managed, which gives rise to congestion and jams. This, they say, also leads to environmental pollution.

The proposed plan will widen and fix roads and re-arrange traffic flow, remodel road intersections, install and operate improved traffic signals and keep a check on street parking.

The project will also ensure the proper display of road sings and traffic rules, help pedestrians, re-route public transport and improve drainage.

TEPA project director Mazhar Hussain told Daily Times that the proposed project would help traffic movement around the area. He said it would also improve passenger and freight movement and would have a positive impact on socio-economic, business and commercial activities. He also said the project would generate employment.

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