LDA commences construction work on Babu Sabu-Niazi Interchange Project

Earlier on Sunday, the Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for the "Controlled Access Project Babu Sabu-Niazi Chowk/Interchange (Bund Road) Project," with a budget of PKR 11.3 billion.

The primary objective of this upcoming project is to bring about significant changes in the traffic flow within the local area. It is designed to restrict the movement of local traffic, including motorcycles, bicycles, cars, and rickshaws, along the corridor. The plan involves creating dedicated two-lane expressways on both sides, accompanied by the construction of subways. These subways will provide convenient access to Babu Sabu, Niazi Chowk, and adjacent neighborhoods, offering an alternative route to the current usage of Bund Road as part of the ring road.

Currently, there are no properly designed passages or subways on either side of the road that residents of nearby areas can use for their transportation needs. LDA Chief Engineer Asrar Saeed highlighted this problem and stressed the necessity for a solution. The project is divided into two distinct packages.

Package-I, covering a 3.65-kilometer stretch, will raise the existing Bund Road by 13 feet, extending from Niaz Interchange to Saggian. This elevated section will create a four-lane dual carriageway with two lanes on each side, complete with four vehicular and pedestrian subways. Package I will also include two-lane service lanes on both sides, exclusively for individuals looking to access nearby neighborhoods from various entry points. However, access to the main corridor will be restricted for cyclists, donkey carts, motorcycles, rickshaws, and similar vehicles. The estimated cost of Package-I is PKR 5.2 billion.

Meanwhile, Package II of the project, valued at PKR 6.1 billion, will involve the construction of five subways. Aside from this difference, the specifications mirror those of Package I.

The envisioned outcome of this project is to facilitate the movement of approximately 130,000 vehicles along a seamless 7.3-kilometer four-lane corridor. Moreover, it is expected to deliver significant environmental benefits by reducing pollution, saving time, conserving energy, and lowering fuel costs.

During the foundation stone-laying ceremony, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of completing the project within four months, highlighting its pivotal role in Lahore's traffic network. He envisioned the Bund Road Access Project as a crucial element in finalizing Lahore's traffic infrastructure.

The Chief Minister also expressed his commitment to expedite the project's completion, aiming to finish it before December, thereby enabling swift access from any part of Lahore to the motorway.