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

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LAHORE: Since the Punjab government has accelerated plans to improve Gujranwala’s Public Transportation Network with the deployment of bus rapid transit (BRT) system and electric buses, urban development experts are emphasizing expensive obstacles to the current infrastructure projects at billions of prices.

Gujranwala’s urban change center is a signal -free corridor project, which is 12.7 km from Chen Da Kala Chowk to Aziz Bypass. It was started under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the project aims to Rs 5.7 billion, the purpose of the project is to convert a significant part of the historic GT Road into a high -performance corridor, which includes nine turn and uninterrupted traffic flow. With the completion target of June 2025, the corridor is currently under intense construction monitoring by the Department of Communications and works.

At the same time, the city is hosting the Punjab Safe City Gujran project. It is an attempt at Rs 9.2 billion, designed to modernize urban protection through 1,850 high -tech surveillance cameras, fiber optic networks, and underground infrastructure. While 1,500 cameras have already been installed, the technical spinal cord of the project faces potential risks from over -liping construction, especially if the new BRT system is implemented without a pre -alignment between excavation departments.

In complicating these challenges, the Punjab government has pledged to launch electric buses as part of a wider sustainable move. In the first phase, 380 electric buses will be deployed in Lahore and Gujranwala, which will start in June 2025. The move is a part of the state -of -the -art strategy for introducing 1,500 electric buses in cities including Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujrat, Rahim Yar Khan, and Deir Ghan Ghan, Gujrat, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dhars. Citizens transit.

Despite these steps to think, experts have warned that inadequate harmony can damage the progress. The concerns include overlapping roadwork, migration of useless utility, and damage to important infrastructure. Gujranwala Deputy Commissioner Mohammed tried to overcome the fear, and confirmed that the BRT would not interfere with the signal free transit. “There are nine turn points on the BRT route,” he said. “We will not change anything in a signal -free transit. Only traffic signals will be set up to temporarily stop vehicles during the passage of BRT buses. “

However, the risks remain. City Police Officer Rana Ayaz Saleem has confirmed that at a recent meeting of the Minister for Transport Minister for Transport, the Gujranwala Safe City Project team is at risk of risk on the BRT’s route on 9 to 12 surveillance camera sites. “The estimated loss can lead to financial loss of millions,” he said. “It was agreed that the Punjab Transport Safe City would cover any costs caused by damage to the infrastructure.”

The effects of the project waves increase. A senior official of Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) revealed that the Punjab government has already allocated the allocation for the RS. Along with the transit, 600 million to move the electric poles. “Initially, we moved to the pole at a distance of 10 to 15 feet from the road,” the official said. But now, because of the BRT, we have been asked to move them 30 to 40 feet more. This means that there is another expensive migration period. “

In response to these over -leaping demands, the planning and development department has formally expressed concern, which has directed Commissioner Gujranwala to unite a united plan between transportation, communication and works and the city’s safe departments to prevent financial loss and operational delays.

Urban planning experts are advocating for a comprehensive, multi -agency technical audit, precise mapping of underground infrastructure, and harmony for each project. They say, these measures are necessary to ensure the transfer of a smart, effective and environmentally sustainable city of Gujranwala without compromising the continuation of public assets, safety, or important services.