LAHORE: The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) is all set to hold a two-day event comprising desert and off-road jeep rallies from May 10 in the project area of Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project.

The event will be held in collaboration with the Ravi Urban Development Authority (Ruda) and the divisional administration.

The TDCP has been organising desert and off-road jeep rallies across Punjab since 2005 in the deep desert area or away from urban centres.

As per an official document, a WHO report mentions that in 2020 28,170 people died in road traffic accidents in Pakistan because of rash driving. Out of these, more than 600 accidents and 300 deaths were reported in Lahore alone.

To provide the urban youth with a safespace to polish and showcase their offroad driving skills, in collaboration with Ruda, an off-road trek has been identified along the river Ravi bed.

The TDCP has already conducted three rallies in the Ruda project area in 2014, 2016 and 2024. The trek is approximately 30km long on the land acquired by Ruda.

The prime objectives of the rallies is the provision of a safe off-road location to the youth for motorsports, promotion of sports tourism and socioeconomic development etc.

`We are fully cooperating with the TDCP and Ruda for preparation and successful holding of the off-road jeep rallies,` Lahore Commissioner Zaid Bin Maqsood told Dawn on Monday.

The other departments coordinating with the organizers on various arrangements include Lahore and Sheikhupura police, Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC), Health Department,National Highway Authority (NHA), Motorway Police, Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) and Punjab Food Authority (PFA).

There would be four categories of the rallies -men/women prepared and men/ women stock wherein male and female drivers would run their vehicles (jeeps/ cars) up to 3,400CC.

Similarly, in the armature and professional categories of dirt bike rallies, bikes up to 450CC will participate.

The registration and technical inspection of the jeeps, cars, bikes etc will be carried out on May 10 afternoon, followed by a ceremonial start by a cavalcade on the main boulevard of the Lahore Central Business District (near Kalma Chowk).

The drivers` conference will also be held on May 10, along with dinner, followed by a `History by Night` tour at the Lahore Fort.

On May 11, the rallies will start at7:30am and conclude at 12:30pm at the designated trek.

The prize distribution ceremony will be held in the evening, the same day, at Huzuri Bagh, Lahore Fort.

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