Light Within: Shalamar Interchange

Shalamar Interchange
Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Husain Qazi

Lahore - the heart of Pakistan, is known for its historic buildings and splendid structures. For centuries the successive regimes have been enriching the city with love and determination. The construction of each successive era; Mughal, Victorian and the modern, has added tremendously to the grandeur of the city.

Shalimar Interchange is a beautiful addition in the landmark constructions of the metropolis. Constructed on the road to historic Shalimar Gardens, it is a link with our rich heritage and continuation of the artistic vision and the superb building skills that our master craftsmen possess.

Shalimar Interchange is a state of the art project, conceived by the Government of Punjab, planned by the LDA / TEPA, designed by NESPAK and constructed by Frontier Works Organisation – the leading construction organisation of the country. It is the first three levels interchange in Punjab over the canal and the railway line and comprises of a 1.6 km Flyover, 2 Underpasses, 2 Ground Level Bridges and 11 km service roads around the site.

The interchange will greatly benefit the people of Lahore by improving the city’s traffic flow. The Mughalpura crossing - accommodating bulk of the city’s traffic, was a choke point where even the ambulances were held up in the traffic jams. The majestic flyover now conveniently connects the city with cantonment. On the canal side; the underpasses convert the canal bank road into a fast moving signal free corridor. Commuters to the Shalimar Gardens, Jallo Park and Mughalpura Dry Port will be much facilitated by the facilities of the Interchange.

The 10 to 15 minutes time that was wasted in crossing this choke point has now been reduced to just a minute. As per the traffic count, 1 lakh vehicles crossing the interchange will be benefited with a net saving of 6000 hours of traveling time per day.

“The flyover-bridge is of the latest design that is most suitable for the locality. Its sleek transoms (pillars) and girders radiate openness. Besides regulating the traffic at a previous chokepoint, it will provide maximum utility for the residents by uplifting the whole area” (Khwaja Ahmed Hassan, Chairman Task Force Lahore Road Rehablitation Project, II).

The grand project, conceived back in 1976 could not be implemented due to site restrictions and technical difficulties. It was a challenge for the visionary Chief Minister and his dedicated team which has been accomplished AlhamdoliLlah with lot of effort and determination.

During the accelerated pace of construction two valiant workers of FWO laid down their life while combating the odds of construction.

The congested site was acquired after a prolonged effort by shifting the installations of 5 different departments. The huge motorcycle market, numerous houses, shops and mosques were shifted and encroachments coming in the Right of Way were removed.

The design was improved many times keeping in view the ground situation for eg the soil condition that required enhancement in the strength and quantity of the foundation and the pillars. This process made it more practical however increased the workload and construction time.

About a hundred pieces of heavy machinery and plant operated in a restricted site within the chaos of running traffic.

The large tangled web of underground services i.e. the sewerage, water supply, ptcl and the overhead high tension electric cables was systematically relocated.

The addition of two underpasses and an additional bridge over the canal was accommodated within the scheduled time.

The project has incorporated the best of design, material and workmanship. It has been specially designed to give maximum space to the traffic moving under the flyover.

For a sound technical management NESPAK, the renowned consultants, were engaged for the designing, construction-supervision and verifications.

The civil works have been executed by Frontier Works Organisation by putting in the best of technical skills and practical experience with a day and night effort and sincere dedication. FWO yearns to take up the quality of construction to new heights after the successful performance of road projects implemented about 13 years back.

The design and construction aspects of the project involved much more effort and material than any other flyover previously constructed in the province. Its quantum of work is three times more than the Jinnah flyover.

The landscaping and aesthetic designing is being carried out with a focus on incorporating the glorious Mughal art with this state of the art project. FWO thanks Punjab Government for involving it in the development of Lahore. It is our honour that our projects are referred as a marvel of construction and a model to follow.

With all the sincerity and best wishes, Shalimar Interchange is presented to the people of Lahore as a New Year’s gift.

Labels: Construction, Flyover, Frontier Works Organisation, FWO, Lahore