Lahore's Walled City to Get Underground Wiring and New Parking Plazas
Lahore’s Walled City to Get Underground Wiring and New Parking Plazas
Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Bilal Yasin has announced a package of development works for Lahore’s historic Walled City, confirming that encroachment removal, underground wiring, park restoration and new parking plazas are all part of the Lahore Walled City development plan. He made the announcement while speaking at an open court session in his constituency.
Yasin said the projects were intended to improve public facilities and enhance the appearance of the old city, where narrow streets, ageing infrastructure and chronic parking shortages have long troubled residents, traders and visitors.
Lahore Walled City development: parking plazas and underground wiring
The minister said several parking plazas were expected to be completed next year, which he said would significantly ease traffic pressure in the congested old city. Shifting electricity wiring underground will remove the dense web of overhead wires from historic streets, improving both safety and the look of the area.
The announcement builds on an earlier programme for the old city. The Punjab cabinet had previously approved underground parking plazas near the Walled City gates, and officials say construction work is already in progress on multiple parking facilities, with the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency handling development and the Walled City of Lahore Authority tasked with identifying land for new sites.
Alongside the wiring and parking work, the plan includes restoration of parks and improvements to building facades. Yasin said these steps would help improve residents’ quality of life in the historic neighbourhoods.
Open court hears public complaints
During the open court session, residents and representatives from various union councils raised complaints about local issues and sought the minister’s intervention. Yasin directed officials to address public complaints promptly and assist residents in resolving matters involving government departments.
He also pledged to speed up the process of loans for low-income families seeking to build or repair their homes, a persistent demand from old-city residents living in ageing houses.
Remarks on inflation and relief
Discussing the wider economic situation, Yasin said the government and citizens were facing challenges together. He stressed the importance of maintaining peace and keeping everyday life running amid the prevailing political situation.
The minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would soon announce measures to ease the impact of inflation and provide relief to the public. He did not share details of the proposed measures.
What projects are planned for the Walled City?
The plan covers removal of encroachments, shifting electricity wiring underground, restoration of parks, improvement of building facades and construction of new parking plazas.
When will the parking plazas be ready?
Bilal Yasin said several parking plazas were expected to be completed next year, and that they would significantly ease traffic pressure in the old city.
Who is overseeing the development work?
The housing and urban development ministry is leading the announced projects. The Walled City of Lahore Authority identifies land for parking projects in the old city, while agencies including the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency handle construction and engineering.
What did the minister say about inflation relief?
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would soon announce measures to ease the impact of inflation and provide relief to the public, but he did not share any details of the proposed measures.
