LAHORE: The newly-constructed 742-metre long Captain Kernal Sher Khan Shaheed Flyover (Ghora Chowk overhead bridge) is all set to be opened for traffic on Friday (today) and caretaker Chief Minister Moshin Naqvi will inaugurate it.

The project executed by the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA) has been completed within the period of 90 days — the deadline fixed by the provincial government, according to the official sources.

“The Rs1.5bn single carriageway flyover consists of three lanes providing a signal-free passage to the commuters going towards Cantt, DHA Phase-I and its other phases and various other localities. It will also facilitate all those intending to access the Walton Road and a number of residential areas along this major artery, which connects the city’s Ferozepur Road with several parts/localities,” PCBDDA’s Executive Director (Technical) Riaz Hussain explained while talking to Dawn on Thursday.

The project has been executed within 90 days

“The project was launched in October 2023 and completed in December--90 days period. Now, we have completed 100pc of the work on the project and are set to open it on Thursday (today).”

To a question, Mr Hussain said high quality material had been used in the project amid conduction of a comprehensive load pressure test as per international standards to check the robustness of the flyover. The PCBDDA officer said the project would benefit 200,000 vehicles moving between Barkat Market of Garden Town to Defence Mor.

On the other hand, the project team, led by PCBDDA CEO Imran Amin and Executive Director (Technical) Riaz Hussain, paid a final inspection visit to the flyover, which has been named after Captain Kernal Sher Khan Shaheed. The officers marked the culmination of efforts to enhance Lahore’s infrastructure and pay tributes to the heroic legacy of the martyr.

The team conducted a thorough review of the project’s final elements, ensuring its readiness for public access.

Speaking about the project’s completion, PCBDDA CEO Imran Amin said: “The project is now finalized and will be accessible to the public shortly.”

He added that the timely completion of the project reflected the relentless commitment and round-the-clock efforts of the technical teams from the PCBDDA, NLC and Nespak.

OPERATION: In a joint operation, a team, comprising officers of the LDA’s Town Planning Wing and TEPA, sealed 16 properties over encroachments on various city roads.

It also removed encroachments before sealing the premises. The team sealed the management office of Siddique Trade Centre for encroachment in the parking area.

A private bank, coffee house, restaurants, plazas and brand stores in Gulberg were also sealed after removing the encroachments from their premises. The management office of the private bank was also sealed.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2023