LAHORE, Oct 23: Work on two compressed natural gas (CNG) stations along Jail Road is under way in spite of the fact that the thoroughfare has been in the negative list for such an activity for the last six years or so. Another such station is being raised at a residential area along Racecourse Road.

Infrastructure for a CNG station near the Lahore College for Women University and another opposite the Kinnaird College is almost ready while earth-breaking for yet another facility near China Chowk had been performed.

The Punjab Industries, Mines and Mineral Department had in August 2002 asked the City District Government of Lahore to prepare a list of roads and areas that should not have new petrol pumps and CNG stations.

Senior officers of the Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Authority (Tepa) of the LDA besides the executive district officer (works and services), the Cantonment deputy district officer (revenue) and the deputy district officer (civil defence) of the CDGL not only finalised a list of negative roads and areas, but were unanimous in their opinion that a policy should be formulated for the gradual shifting of the existing ones elsewhere.

The thoroughfares and areas included in the negative list were: The Mall, Circular Road (around Walled City), GT Road (up to 200 yards from either side of Shalamar Gardens, Shahdara Chowk to Imamia Colony), Badami Bagh Chowk to Ravi Chowk.

Canal Bank Road (from Thokar Niaz Beg to Jallo and up to Defence Road downstream side), Zafar Ali Road, Aziz Bhatti Road (from Mian Mir Bridge to new airport terminal interchange, access road route-I), Defence Road (from Harrikey Road to airport).Gulberg main boulevard (from Jail Road to Ferozepur Road), Liberty and Afshan intersections, Central Point to Canal Bridge, Kalima Chowk.

Jail Road (up to Sherpao Bridge), MM Alam Road, Afshan Chowk, Ferozepur Road (from Mozang Chungi to LOS Depot and from Shama Chowk to crossing near Ichhra police station), Lytton Road (from Jain Mandir to Mozang Chungi).

Multan Road (Chauburji Chowk to Scheme Morr), Misri Shah Road (from Chowk Nakhuda to Aik Moria Pul, Gowalmandi and Laxmi Chowk, Bund Road (from Yateem Khana Chowk to Bakar Mandi). City railway station (surrounding up to one kilometre radius) and Brandreth Road.