In the light of Section 12 of Environment Protection Act, a public hearing was arranged on Friday, in which environmental issues arising from the construction of flyover at Kalma Chowk were discussed. The hearing was jointly organised by Punjab Communication and Works Department, Environment Protection Department and Nespak.
On the occasion, Project Director Kalma Chowk, Sabir Khan Saddozi said the population of Lahore is nine million and more than 900,000 vehicles are running on the roads but due to frequent signals and narrow roads, traffic often remains jammed. He termed it the need of the hour to make the roads signal-free for smooth flow of traffic.
Replying to various questions of the people on the occasion, C&W Chief Engineer, Munawwar Bashir said that in order to ensure smooth flow of traffic and facilitate people, alternate roads were constructed before launching of this project. He said plates have also been installed at Kalma Chowk for saving the people and residents of the area from dust. Appropriate steps have also been taken for saving the people from noise pollution, he maintained.
Director General, Dr Shagufta Shah Jehan said decision in connection with Kalma Chowk project will be taken in the larger interest of the people and a report will be formulated in the light of suggestions and opinions expressed by the people in this public hearing function. She said that completion of this project in the light of public opinion was a legal demand, which would be fulfilled at all costs.
On the occasion, representatives of organisations, associated with environment protection, expressed their reservations about the removal of trees due to this project. At this, a spokesman of Environment Protection Department Nasimur Rehman disclosed that EPD has given 250,000 trees of six to seven feet height and 10 trees will be planted in place of one tree.
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