3 major entry, exit points of Lahore increase smog level

LAHORE: The three major entry/exit points of the provincial capital are contributing heavily to generating of ‘fugitive dust’, which is a major component of the present smog. 

The three major entry/exit points of the city include Thokar, Shahdara and Ferozepur Road from where hundreds and thousands of vehicles including heavy vehicles such as trucks, containers, tractor trollies and etc. enter and exit the city daily.

One can witness slow pace of work by Lahore Development Authority (LDA) at Thokar Entry/Exit point which has disturbed the normal flow of traffic, besides contributing more gases to the present smog.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Thokar Entry point is one of the main entry/exit points of the city where the road is uneven and small potholes slow down the traffic. Traffic jam at this point, especially in late hours when heavy traffic entered the city is a routine and is contributing a lot to the present situation of smog.

Due to traffic jams at Thokar Entry point, other main roads linked to the Thokar Entry point - Multan Road, Raiwind Road, Canal Bank Road and local roads are also facing slow pace of traffic and jams.

Presently there is a line of six to seven kilometre comprising heavy vehicles, trucks, containers, busses and etc. can be seen at Thokar Entry point, which was also disturbing the normal flow of traffic. These trucks, containers and other heavy vehicles were stopped to enter the city on Saturday and Sunday by the traffic police.

One side of the road going towards M-2 and Multan is almost complete while the other side of the road coming from Multan to Lahore is still incomplete and under construction. LDA’s Engineering wing has yet to lay asphalt layer on this side while footpath is also incomplete. LDA sources said the project has exceeded its stipulated completion time due to the slow pace of work by the LDA’s contractor.

The entry/exit point on Ferozpur road is undeveloped and despite the strict order of the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz the potholes and cracks in the main road are not filled or repaired. At this point, the traffic coming from Kasur, Kahna and Ring Road joined and creates a mess. The side of the roads is not grassy due to which the fugitive dust adds to the atmosphere by the movement of heavy traffic.