Govt clears Rs120bn elevated expressway project

LAHORE: The Punjab government has finally given the green light to the long-delayed elevated expressway project in Lahore, aimed at easing traffic congestion and cutting travel time across the provincial capital.

The 11-kilometre signal-free corridor will run from Main Boulevard Gulberg to the Motorway M-2, providing an alternative route for commuters and reducing the load on major city arteries. Officials said the project will also help save fuel and time while lowering carbon emissions.

On Thursday, Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General Tahir Farooq visited the proposed route, inspecting key points including Main Boulevard Gulberg, Jail Road, Shama Stop, Samanabad, Gulshan Ravi and Band Road. He termed the expressway a “game changer” for the city.

Chief Engineer LDA Asrar Saeed, along with NESPAK teams, briefed the DG that the project would directly connect Gulberg with the motorway toll plaza, benefiting millions of vehicles. Technical challenges, land acquisition and population density along the route were also reviewed. LDA sources revealed that repeated delays had led to massive cost escalation. Initially conceived at Rs30 billion, the project’s estimated cost has now ballooned to around Rs120 billion.