LAHORE: The Akbar Chowk flyovers project is likely to open for traffic on Nov 15 as most of the work on the scheme has been completed.

The work related to girder launching (fixing of girders on the pillars) on both flyovers has been done. The asphalt work on an overhead bridge has also been completed, enabling the team to start asphalt work on the other flyover, Dawn has learnt.

“We plan to open the flyovers for traffic on Nov 15 as we are about to complete most of the work on the project. The allied works under the flyovers (on the roads) will also be completed side by side but our priority is to open the flyovers for traffic moving on the Maulana Shaukat Ali Road,” a senior official said.

On the other hand, Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, who also holds charge of the LDA director general, visited the project site on Thursday and inspected the work. He was told that the work for fixing of barriers along the flyovers and the poles had been launched.

After directing the project team to speed up the construction work, Mr Randhawa asked the Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) to start beautification/planting work along the roads. He termed the project vital for facilitating the road users and controlling pollution and smog.

“The project team must open the flyovers at the earliest,” he added.

Later, when Dawn contacted him about the flyovers’ opening date, he confirmed that it was likely that they would open on Nov 15.

The work on the Akbar Chowk flyover and remodelling project had started in the third week of May this year, marking the progress towards transforming the Maulana Shaukat Ali Road into a signal-free corridor. The project aims to improve the traffic flow at the intersection, reduce environmental issues, save time and energy, and provide a hassle-free drive for commuters travelling between Kot Lakhpat and the Canal Road. The work on the project resumed after a delay of nearly two-and-a-half months owing to litigation.

Although the work initially began on Feb 28 of this year, it was halted after three days due to a stay order issued by the Lahore High Court (LHC) for non-completion of various formalities by the project executing agency.

The construction of flyovers on both sides of Akbar Chowk to avoid tree-cutting, three protected U-turns after the Shauq Chowk and extension of the project till Pindi Stop near the Model Town Link Road intersection and other interventions have made the Maulana Shaukat Ali Road signal-free from Jinnah Hospital to Pindi Stop.

power theft: A Lahore Electric Supply Company team uncovered power theft in 40 houses of Bhekaywal village, according to an official spokesperson.

The houses were receiving electricity through direct connections to the 11kV lines.

The team caught four shops engaged in the same unauthorised power supply arrangement.

The team disconnected the power supply, confiscated the cables and wires used in the theft, and initiated applications against those involved in the illegal acquisition of electricity.

DEMOLISHED: In various operations in Johar Town, Pine Avenue, BoR Society and adjacent schemes, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) teams on Friday, sealed and demolished more than 36 illegal constructions/commercial properties, according to a spokesman.

The LDA teams demolished illegal shops, markets, a nursery near the Pine Avenue during the operation besides structures at Plot 38 Block C of PCAIR, Staff College Road.

Some illegal shops were demolished and signboards were removed on ground floor on Plot No 33 at UET Society whereas some constructions at Plot No. 26 in Valencia Town.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2023