LAHORE: In a bid to reduce traffic, eliminate pollution and ease public mobility, the government has decided to remodel and beautify certain portions of the Main Boulevard and the MM Alam Road of Gulberg while the latter will be completely pedestrianised.

The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) is currently preparing designs of these roads in collaboration with the private and public sector urban experts, Dawn has learnt.

“Traffic on the Main Boulevard and MM Alam Road is increasing fast, creating issues of public mobility, particularly for the pedestrians. The situation is worsening gradually, causing traffic blockade/congestion at various points (Hussain Chowk and Mini Market Roundabout, U-turns etc), making it difficult for the people even to breathe fresh air,” an official source in the LDA told Dawn on Monday.

Plan includes remodeling, beautification of road besides Main Boulevard

“Noise pollution too is disrupting routine life,” he added.

According to the plan, the LDA is working on various proposals to transform these urban areas according to the international standards. This includes a plan to completely pedestrianise the MM Alam Road, create greenbelts, sitting places by placing benches and parking spaces, eliminate encroachments, enhance security, improve building facades and sewerage system, bring uniformity in signage and installing the modern streetlights (LED).

The Gulberg Main Boulevard, the main commercial hub, will have adequate walking and sitting spaces and plantation. All encroachments on service roads, footpaths, buildings’ setback areas and other spots would be removed.

“There is a plan to place benches in between the landscape (10-feet away from the main road in case of the Main Boulevard) to avoid air pollution caused by vehicles. Thus it will help us make the area pedestrian-friendly,” said the official.

“The owners of buildings have been made a part of this initiative as they would be asked to join hands with us in this regard. They would also be requested to maintain the spaces (after remodeling) in front of their buildings,” he added.

To a question, the official said the signage (names of shops, plazas, shopping centres) would be the same while the font size to be used would be the same for all.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2022