Punjab urban transport overhaul sparks calls for coordination amid overlapping mega projects in Gujranwala

LAHORE: As the Punjab government accelerates plans to revamp Gujranwala’s public transportation network with a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and the deployment of electric buses, urban development experts are urging immediate strategic coordination among departments to avoid costly disruptions to existing infrastructure projects valued at billions of rupees.

At the heart of Gujranwala’s urban transformation is the Signal-Free Corridor Project, a 12.7-kilometer development stretching from Chan Da Qila Chowk to Aziz Bypass. Initiated under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and budgeted at Rs5.7 billion, the project aims to convert a key section of the historic GT Road into a high-efficiency corridor, featuring nine U-turns and uninterrupted traffic flow. With a completion target of June 2025, the corridor is currently under intense construction oversight by the Communication and Works Department.

Simultaneously, the city is hosting the Punjab Safe City Gujranwala Project—an ambitious Rs9.2 billion effort designed to modernize urban security through 1,850 high-tech surveillance cameras, fiber optic networks, and underground infrastructure. While 1,500 cameras have already been installed, the project’s technological backbone faces potential risks from overlapping construction, particularly if digging for the new BRT system is executed without prior alignment between concerned departments.

Compounding these challenges, the Punjab Government has committed to launching electric buses as part of a broader sustainability initiative. In the first phase, 380 electric buses will be deployed across Lahore and Gujranwala, with service expected to commence in June 2025. The move is part of a statewide strategy to introduce 1,500 electric buses in cities including Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujrat, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dera Ghazi Khan—an effort to reduce carbon emissions and modernize urban transit.

Despite these forward-thinking initiatives, experts caution that inadequate coordination could undermine progress. Concerns include overlapping roadwork, redundant utility relocations, and damage to critical infrastructure. Gujranwala Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Naveed attempted to allay fears, affirming that the BRT would not interfere with the Signal-Free Corridor. “There are nine U-turn points on the BRT route,” he said. “We will not alter anything on the signal-free corridor. Only traffic signals will be installed to temporarily stop vehicles during the passage of BRT buses.”

However, vulnerabilities remain. City Police Officer Rana Ayaz Saleem confirmed that in a recent planning meeting chaired by the Punjab Transport Minister, the Gujranwala Safe City Project team warned of risks to 9 to 12 surveillance camera sites along the BRT path. “The estimated damage could lead to financial losses of millions,” he noted. “It was agreed that the Punjab Transport Department would cover any costs incurred due to damage to the Safe City infrastructure.”

The project’s ripple effects extend further. A senior official from the Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) revealed that the Punjab Government had already allocated Rs. 600 million to relocate electric poles along the corridor. “Initially, we moved the poles 10 to 15 feet away from the road. But now, due to the BRT, we’ve been asked to move them another 30 to 40 feet. This means another costly round of relocation,” the official said.

In response to these overlapping demands, the Planning and Development Department has formally expressed concern, directing the Commissioner Gujranwala to implement a unified planning mechanism among the Transport, Communication & Works, and Safe City departments to prevent financial losses and operational delays.

Urban planning specialists are advocating for a comprehensive, multi-agency technical audit, precise mapping of underground infrastructure, and synchronized timelines for each project. These measures, they argue, are essential to ensure Gujranwala’s transition into a smart, efficient, and environmentally sustainable city without compromising public assets, safety, or the continuity of critical services.