The construction of the Akbar Chowk flyover and underpass project in Lahore has been delayed, as the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) is still reviewing the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.

The start of the construction work, initially planned for two weeks from now, may be postponed. The primary reason is the delay in the EIA report’s submission. The Lahore High Court (LHC) has a pending case against the project. The authorities have been instructed to send the EIA report to the UET for review by the court.

To improve the environment, the Punjab government has directed the LDA to transplant 59 trees instead of cutting them down.

However, the project team can only continue construction work, once the LHC allows them, as per a senior LDA official. The delay in resuming construction work is causing the project cost to rise, potentially exceeding 5% to 10%.

During a meeting presided over by Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the LDA engineering wing was directed to use the latest techniques and machines to uproot, relocate, and transplant trees in the project area.

The CM emphasized the importance of a viable and trouble-free traffic diversion plan before initiating Akbar Chowk Lahore flyover construction work.