LAHORE: The Walton Road is set to undergo a major transformation with an Rs9.5 billion revamping project that aimed to improve its infrastructure, drainage, and traffic flow while the residents and shopkeepers showed their concerns that it will affect their businesses and properties.

The project, initiated by the Central Business District, will cover an 18km stretch of the road from Walton airport to Hadiara drain and is expected to be completed in seven months.

One of the main components ofthe project is to clear and cover the Airport Drainage Authority (ADA) drain, which runs parallel to the road, and has become a source of pollution and flooding especially during the rainy season.

The ADA drain was originally built to manage 80 cusecs of rainwater, but over the years, it has been contaminated with sewage water from various localities, such as Askri, Bedian, Cavalry grounds, Walton and Falcon colony.

After putting the sewerage water into the drain, its level was raised by four feet, and has also reduced its capacity to handle rainwater. As a result, the drain often overflowsduring monsoon season, causing waterlogging and traffic jams on the road.

According to CBD Executive Director Technical Riaz Hussain, the project will separate the sewerage lines from the ADA drain, and increase its capacity to 160 cusecs, which will be sufficient for the next 50 years.

He said the ADA drain will also be covered with concrete slabs, and a greenbelt will be developed on top of it, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the road.

He said Walton Road would be made a signal-free corridor, with three lanes on each side, 15 feet green belt and a 40 feet servicelane. The project will also include three pedestrian underpasses, two overhead crossings, and three elevated U-turns, to facilitate the movement of pedestrians and vehicles.

The project will also remove all the encroachments on the road, and ensure that the road level is two to three feet lower than the street level, to prevent water accumulation.

The residents and shopkeepers of Walton Road, however, have expressed their concerns about the project, saying that it will affect their businesses and properties.

They said that the road elevationwill make their houses and shops lower than the road level, and that the water that currently accumulates on the road will enter their premises, damaging their structures and forcing them to raise their levels.

They also said that the project will cause noise and dust pollution, and disrupt their daily activities.

Mr Hussain, however, assured them that the project will benefit them in the long run, as it will improve the environment, sanitation, and traffic situation of the area.

He said that the road elevation is temporary, and that it will be lowered after the construction of thesewerage conduits.

He also said that the project will provide them with better drainage, lighting, and security facilities.

He appealed to the residents and shopkeepers to cooperate with the project team, and to bear the inconvenience for a short period of time, for the sake of the greater good of the city.

About PML-N leaders Khawja Saad Rafique and others claiming credit for the project, he said that it is a Punjab government project and they would have to approach to the provincial and national assembly`s representatives and trader to support the smooth running of the project.