Aik Moria Pull to be remodelled

LAHORE: To reduce traffic load on Grand Trunk Road and Circular Road, Lahore Development Authority (LDA) is ready to kick start remodelling of Aik Moria Pull, one of the biggest bottlenecks in the provincial metropolis.

LDA officials said an estimated cost of Rs700 million will be incurred on the project, which aims to widen/reconstruct the existing Aik Moria Underpass to Railway Lines running parallel to Circular Road.

This will ease flow of traffic coming from Circular Road, Akbari Mandi, Badamibagh, Shadbagh, Faizbagh, Walled City, etc. towards Railway Station and vice versa. The officials added that tender of the project has already been awarded while EIA of this project will take place on January 24. Lahore Development Authority will complete this project with its own resources.

The scope of work includes widening of the existing single barrel Aik Moria underpass/ subway and reconstruction of a new two barrel underpass/subway, another LDA official said, adding the reconstruction of another existing two barrel underpass adjacent to Aik Moria underpass is also recommended as this underpass is in dangerous condition.

The existing Aik Moria Pull is one of the main bottlenecks in Lahore, providing access to major business hubs like Akbari Mandi, Badamibagh, Anarkali, Misri Shah, Shadbagh, educational institutes, UET, Govt Islamia College, Punjab University, King Edward Medical University, etc. and historical places Masjid Wazir Khan, Delhi Gate, Shahi Hammam, Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Greater Iqbal Park, etc.

Circular Road, adjacent to Aik Moria Pull, is a highly congested area. The traffic coming from surrounding commercial and residential areas, Badamibagh, Shadbagh, Delhi Darwaza, Akbari Mandi, Lorri Adda, and Railway Station, Walled City, converge near Aik Moria Pull, resulting in serious traffic congestion.

Moreover, Slow moving and overloaded animal-driven carts and Tongas coming from Akbari Mandi, Delhi Darwaza and Badamibagh, etc result in chaotic situation. Strict traffic enforcement should be taken up by the agencies concerned.

The existing underpass/subway is also facing serious drainage issues, especially during rainy season because of lower existing surface level compared to adjacent Circular Road and GT Road.So, drainage will also be catered for in the project, LDA officials concluded.

The peculiarity of the area and transportation of goods through light commercial vehicles with special carrier arrangements compels to adopt the original clearance of Aik Moria Railway Underpass.

The same was submitted to Pakistan Railways without providing ballast under rails. Pakistan Railways clear verdict prescribed that ballast over RCC slab was inevitable to insulate the rails. Due to these constraints, it was decide/discussed to opt for Steel Super structure.

Lahore Junction Railway Station is situated at the convergence of Circular Road, Empress Road, McLeod Road and Allama Iqbal Road, catering a large scale movement of both passengers and freight. Being the only Central Railway Station, thousands of passengers travel on daily basis using the adjacent roads, causing serious traffic congestion as well as increased risk of accidents on the Circular Road and GT Road near Aik Moria and Do Moria Pull.