Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Lahore: The City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) on Saturday announced a comprehensive traffic management plan for the three-day 983rd annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri (RA), deploying more than 900 traffic wardens and imposing diversions around Data Darbar to facilitate devotees and ensure smooth traffic flow.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi said the arrangements would be supervised by SSP City Zone Maqsood Loon, with five DSPs, 111 traffic inspectors and over 900 wardens deployed across the city. Fifteen forklifts and four breakdown vehicles have also been stationed at key points to prevent congestion caused by illegal parking while five designated parking stands have been established for visitors.

The CTO said several roads surrounding Data Darbar would remain closed due to security arrangements.

These include routes from Kachehri Chowk, Bhati Chowk and Pir Makki towards the shrine while Lower Mall Road from District Courts Chowk to the Pir Makki U-turn will remain closed to all traffic.

Under the diversion plan, traffic from Shahdara heading towards Lower Mall will be redirected via Azadi Chowk to the Railway Station while vehicles from Shahdara will also be diverted through Niazi Shaheed Chowk towards Bund Road and Saggian.

Motorists approaching Lower Mall from Chouburji Chowk will be diverted through MAO College.

Traffic from the Inner Circular Road will be allowed to travel via Mori Gate, Urdu Bazaar and Kachehri Road. However, entry to Lower Mall will remain restricted from District Courts Chowk, the DIG Operations Office corner, Government College University gate, Rattigan Chowk, Bilal Ganj Chowk, Beri Wala Chowk, Mori Gate, Taxali Chowk and Azadi Chowk.

Commuters travelling from Shahdara to Upper Mall have been advised to use the Railway Station and Press Club route while those travelling from Chouburji and PMG Chowk towards Ravi Road should use the Saggian Ring Road as an alternative.

Special arrangements have also been made for milk supply vehicles, handcarts and rickshaws which will be allowed access to Sabeels through Azadi Flyover and Pir Makki in accordance with the traffic plan.

CTO Shirazi said traffic updates and alternative routes would be shared through the Rasta FM radio service and the Rasta mobile application.

He urged citizens to follow traffic advisories and contact Police Helpline 15 for assistance during the Urs.

Lahore: Parks and Horticulture Agency (PHA) Lahore Managing Director Ahmad Usman Javed on Saturday said the agency was committed to transforming Lahore into a greener, cleaner, more beautiful and financially self-sustaining city in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Chairing a performance review meeting at the PHA Headquarters here, the managing director reviewed the agency’s operational performance, development projects, financial affairs and future strategy. The meeting was attended by Additional Managing Director Tasleem Akhtar Rao, Director Finance Ahmed Saeed Manj, Director Marketing Naeem Afzal, Director Coordination Farah Diba, directors of the Horticulture Wing and other senior officers.

During the meeting, senior officers presented detailed briefings on ongoing development schemes, financial management, marketing initiatives, horticulture operations and administrative matters.

Addressing the participants, Ahmad Usman Javed said PHA Lahore was responsible for the maintenance, beautification and management of 808 small and large parks across the provincial capital. He directed officers to ensure high standards of cleanliness, landscaping, maintenance and quality recreational facilities in all parks. He said teamwork, professionalism, dedication and mutual cooperation were essential for improving the authority’s performance and delivering better public services.

The managing director reiterated that beautifying Lahore and promoting environmental sustainability remained the authority’s top priority under the chief minister’s vision. He directed the Marketing and Horticulture Wings to work in close coordination to improve operational efficiency and achieve organisational goals.

He also instructed officers to enhance the authority’s own-source revenues through effective planning, efficient utilisation of resources, innovative marketing strategies and modern management practices to strengthen PHA’s financial sustainability.

MD Ahmad Usman Javed further directed officials to strengthen PHA’s branding and public outreach so that its services, achievements and development initiatives could be effectively communicated to the public. He also emphasised the timely completion of all ongoing development projects to provide improved recreational facilities and a better urban environment for the citizens of Lahore.

Concluding the meeting, the managing director urged officers to perform their duties with integrity, professionalism and dedication to further improve public services and contribute to making Lahore greener and more beautiful in accordance with the Punjab government’s vision.