LAHORE: The Punjab local government and community development department has finalised a mega development plan to protect heritage and promote tourism in Lahore by rehabilitating ancient gates of the Walled City, constructing a rampart around the area, reviving the heritage zone, besides developing underground parking lots in different old Lahore areas.

The department also plans to restore the Circular Garden, of which some remains still exist in the shape of greenbelts, while most of its parts had been encroached upon by the wholesale markets.

A departmental meeting chaired by Secretary Mian Shakeel approved 12 PC-1 for development projects to be carried out in old Lahore. The meeting was informed that a survey of the heritage zone comprising The Mall, Anarkali, Neela Gumbad and adjacent areas had also been completed.

The projects were originally conceived by the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) and reviewed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz before Eid. The CM had given a go-ahead for completion of the projects as early as possible, pledging prompt provision of funds for the purpose.

Envisages 7km-long rampart around the historical area

Briefing the meeting, Walled City Director Conservation Najam Saqib said Lahore had been divided into six zones for heritage conservation.

He said encroachments around the walled city would be removed and a rampart be constructed there, besides rehabilitating the Shah Alam Gate, Yakki Gate, Mochi Gate and Akbari Gate.

He stated that underground parking lots would be developed near Bhati Gate, Shahalam Market, Mochi Gate, Delhi Gate and Sheranwala Gate.

The meeting was also told that a pedestrian pathway would be developed from Shah Alam Market to Bhati Chowk.

Mr Shakeel said the 12 PC-1with an estimated cost of around Rs10 billionwould be presented before the Punjab Development Working Party (PDWP) for approval.

The secretary told Dawn that some remains of the old rampart were still available and thedepartment has planned to eliminate encroachments for the development of completerampart, having an estimated length of seven kilometers.

He said the department researchers were now finding out the original designs of all gates to be restored to their actual shape. He said the restoration of the Circular Garden would be taken up in the next phase.

The secretary hoped that the walled city bazaars would give a pleasant look after the completion of the development projects.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2025