The project includes the construction of a six-lane divided carriageway, interchanges, RCC bridges, reinforced earth abutments/walls, overhead pedestrian bridges, culverts, sub-ways, underpasses, flyovers and related works. Length: 85 km Lanes: 6 Speed limit: minimum speed is 80km/hr, maximum speed is 100km/h for heavy transport vehicles and 120km/h for light transport vehicles Separation: central raised concrete median and grade-separated junctions Access: restricted to fast moving vehicles only, including high-performance heavy bikes. The road is fenced on either side. Pedestrians, bicycles, low-performance motorcycles, animal-driven carriages, and other slow-moving vehicles are not permitted.
History
The project was conceived in 1992. The six-lane road was estimated to cost Rs 117 billion. The eventual ring road, with six lanes stretching out to 443 km, comes at the cost of Rs 185 billion while the same road with 177 km will cost approximately Rs 1150 billion. Changes in government caused delays and changes in the project and the total cost estimates shot up due to increased land acquisition, improvement of existing roads used in the project, shifting of utility installations, protecting commercial and residential areas and improvements to junctions. Explanations for the overrun included delays from lack of professional capabilities, loose checks and balances and the absence of third-party oversight. Contracts were awarded to handpicked contractors without first acquiring the land. The project was the largest development scheme in the history of the metropolis. Usually, land is acquired by LDA land acquisition collector, and EDO revenue, but in this project the Board of Revenue was exclusively involved in acquiring the land. Studies were carried out on the road over this period. The road was designed and redesigned, considering the political and economic interests of the ruling party. In 1991, the Japan International Cooperation Agency proposed a road-loop in the city and the World Bank prepared a feasibility report on a 60 km ring road. In 1995, the Lahore Development Authority presented its scheme. At that time, Daewoo and other foreign companies had signed a memorandum of understanding with the LDA. In 2003, President Pervez Musharraf directed the Punjab government to implement the project. The project was launched on December 22, 2004 at a ground-breaking ceremony attended by President Musharaf. The Punjab Communication & Works Department Project Management Unit awarded the “Lahore Ring Road Southern Loop Feasibility Study and Selection of Route” to NESPAK in December 2007. This project was awarded to National Logistics Cell in February 2009, which subcontracted the first phase to Habib Construction Services. HCS completed this phase in May 2009. The scope of work included a route alignment study, traffic study, environmental impact assessment, project cost estimates, as well as an economic and financial evaluation. The work on the Southern Loop was to start in 2010, but funding problems delayed matters. The start date was pushed 2011. As of 2010 30% of the work on the first phase of the road, from Niazi Chowk to Bund Road, was nearing completion. Work on the Southern Loop was also delayed until 2011 and then until 2016. The Kamahan to Adda secgment was inaugurated on 22 December 2017. The southern Loop hosts housing societies that will be linked, such as DHA, Sui Gas Housing Society, Eden Park, State Life Housing Society, Eden Gardens, Valencia, Khayaban-e-Amin, Lake City, AWT Scheme, Fazaia Housing Scheme and Bahria Town.
