LAHORE: Lahore’s mega projects continue to be delayed due to the shortage of funds for the last three months, local media reports have revealed.
These projects include the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project, a flyover at Shaukat Khanum intersection (Johar Town), improvement of Khayaban-i-Jinnah (signal-free corridor) and construction of 12 sports complex in various National Assembly constituencies of the provincial capital.
Work on the Rs1.6 billion Shaukat Khanum intersection overhead bridge started slowing down in May which was also the last month of the Shahbaz Sharif government, owing to lack of funds. The project, launched last December was scheduled to be completed by June 15. However, the contractor slowed down the work after the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) failed to clear dues. Later, the deadline was revised and set as August 25 which is likely to be missed as 20 percent of the work has yet to be done.
An official source said that the project was delayed due to the non release of funds by the interim government.
The flyover, part of the Khayaban-i-Jinnah (signal-free corridor) project, was to be completed by August 25 at Rs 465 million after the revised budget for this project’s portion was approved in a meeting of the LDA’s governing body last year.
According to a working paper approved by the governing body, “Khayaban-i-Jinnah is the major structural plan road of southern part of Lahore connecting southern bypass with Raiwind Road which facilitates the heavy flow of traffic from the congested localities like Johar Town, Wapda Town, OPF; PIA Society etc. Due to an intense increase in the traffic volume, Khayaban-e-Jinnah is in very dilapidated condition and needed major improvement.”
Meanwhile, work on the construction of 12 sports complex in 12 NA constituencies has also been dead slow since May.
An official source revealed that approximately 60 percent of the work has already been completed but work on it was halted due to the non-payment of bills. He said since Prime Minister Imran Khan was also a sportsman, he should instruct the Punjab chief minister to ensure provision of funds for early completion of 12 sports complexes.
Meanwhile, LDA Chief Engineer Mazhar Hussain Khan claimed that funds would be issued in a day or two and work on the projects are expected to be completed soon.
