LAHORE: The completion of the Lahore`s `Controlled Access Babu Sabu-Niazi Chowk/Interchange Scheme` (also known as Bund Road Project) has been delayed due to administrative issues and non-payment of bills to contractors.

The project, worth Rs15 billion, aims to rehabilitate Bund Road and improve traffic flow. However, the contractors have stopped work due to non-payment of bills, and the LDA`s top management has delayed approving the revised cost estimate, which includes land acquisition for service roads.

An official source revealed that the LDA has not received the required funds despite the govern-ment`s release of funds many days ago. The processing of transferring funds to LDA is currently stuck at the office of Accountant General of Punjab (AGP), Lahore.

`The LDA is going through a tough time, especially after the new PML-N government took over in Punjab in February this year. Till date, the LDA has not received the required funds despite the government`s release of funds many days ago,` an official source deplored while talking to Dawn on Sunday.

The government had started working on this project in the third quarter of 2022 to resolve issues related to Bund Road`s dilapidated condition, traffic congestion, and pollution. After various studies, the government decided to rehabilitate the city`s major outer artery BundRoad -under innovative approaches.

Initially, three options were worked out for the project titled `Rehabilitation of Bund Road from Babu Sabu Interchange to Ring Road along with improvement at Gulshan-i-Ravi T-Junction`.

Under option-1, a six-lane dual carriageway from Babu Sabu Interchange to Ring Road was proposed. Moreover, a three-lane underpass having 5.1 metres height clearance for the traffic (bound for Babu Sabu Interchange) was also proposed. Under option-2, a six-lane dual carriageway from Babu Sabu Interchange to Ring Road with provision of two protected U-turns was proposed. The third and last option proposed a six-lane dual carriageway from Babu Sabu to Ring Road and a three-lane flyover for theBabu Sabu Interchange-bound traffic.

Later, the design of the project and its scope were reviewed and finalized again with increased height of the main expressway along with other facilities. Finally, in September, the then-caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi laid the foundation stone of the Rs11.3 billion controlled access corridor project that restricted mobility of local traffic, including motorcycles, bicycles, cars, and rickshaws on the main corridor by providing them a separate two-lane expressway on each side with provision of subways to move towards Babu Sabu or Niazi Chowk or the nearby localities instead of using the Bund Road, which is part of the ring road.

Later, the project cost increasedto Rs15 billion due to land acquisition for service roads. A revised cost estimate was also submitted to the then-government, which approved it finally, advising the LDA to send ittoEenecforapprovalthroughthe departments concerned.

`But after taking over by the new PML-N government, the quarters concerned (planning and development, finance departments, etc.) sought to submit it to the then newly appointed heads of LDA and Housing Department so that they could also know and endorse the revised cost estimates,` revealed the source.

However, according to him, the estimate still awaits approval from LDA`s top management.

`How can this project be completed when top authorities seemuninterested?` he questioned.

`Everything, including the revised estimate`s approval, is stuck at LDA.

He said the project, already delayed by three months, may face another two-month delay if funds are received immediately and the revised estimate is approved and submitted to Ecnec within a few days.

LDA Director-General Tahir Farooq clarified that work on the project has not stopped, but is progressing slowly due to fund unavailability.

`However, with the finance department releasing funds, we expect to open the elevated portion before Eid and complete the remaining work within a month.

He also confirmed that the revised PC-I (cost estimates) is under process after being resubmitted.