Shalamar Interchange
Lahore – the heart of Pakistan is known for its built heritage – historic buildings and splendid structures. For centuries the successive regimes have been enriching the city with love and determination. The construction of each successive era; Mughal, Victorian and the modern, has added tremendously to the grandeur of the city.
Shalimar Interchange is a useful addition in the landmark constructions of the metropolis. Constructed on the road to historic Shalimar Gardens, it is a link with our rich heritage and continuation of the artistic vision and the superb building skills that our master craftsmen possess.
Shalimar Interchange is a state of the art project constructed by Frontier Works Organisation – the leading construction organisation of the country. It is the first 3 level interchange in Punjab over the canal and the railway line and comprises of a 1.6 km Flyover, 2 Underpasses, 2 Ground Level Bridges and 11 km service roads around the site.
The flyover-bridge is of the latest design that is most suitable for the locality. Its sleek transoms (pillars) and girders radiate openness. Besides regulating the traffic at a previous chokepoint, it will provide maximum utility for the residents by uplifting the whole area, says Khwaja Ahmed Hassan, Chairman Task Force Lahore Road Rehablitation Project, I).
The interchange will greatly benefit the people of Lahore by improving the city’s traffic flow. The Mughalpura crossing – accommodating bulk of the city’s traffic, was a choke point where even the ambulances were held up in the traffic jams. The majestic flyover now conveniently connects the city with cantonment. On the canal side; the underpasses convert the canal bank road into a fast moving signal free corridor. Commuters to the Shalimar Gardens, Jallo Park and Mughalpura Dry Port will be much facilitated by the facilities of the Interchange. {Written by Husain Qazi and X-Posted from Light Within}
Yaar, I’m going to have to disagree on this one with you.
The overpass accommodates only that small fraction of Lahori commuters who use private automobiles. There is plenty of repair work outstanding under the overpass, and this will lead, inevitably, to the degradation of the living spaces that exist there.
The underpass was constructed in violation of law in that no environmental impact assessment of the project was conducted or approved. Because of this lapse, the residents of the area were deprived of the chance, afforded to them by law, of interacting with the development process and making the construction as friendly as possible to them. Instead, their views were not even considered. Also, because of the failure to conduct an EIA, no mitigation plans (like post-construction beautification) were ever made part of the project. Now that the overpass is complete, TEPA has issued tenders inviting firms to advertise in the green belts in return for maintaining them. The repair of the green verges should have been the responsibility of the people building it, not an income making activity for TEPA.
Also, when will we realize that traffic in any city is not combated by more roads but by public transport?