WCLA completed several preservation projects in 2024

LAHORE:The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) Wednesday issued the progress report of 2024. The WCLA has successfully initiated and completed several key preservation and restoration projects to revive the historical gates and other landmarks within the Walled City last year.

The rehabilitation works, which began in 2023, are part of the Authority’s broader efforts to safeguard Lahore’s rich cultural heritage and provide modern amenities for future generations. The restoration of the Androon Lahore gates, including Lohari Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Sheranwala Gate, and Roshnai Gate, began on November 6, 2023, with a total investment of approximately Rs72.45million.

These crucial restoration efforts included a wide array of measures: the restoration of the interior portions of the gates, structural strengthening, elimination of illegal shops and encroachments, and improvements to parking and security systems.

As part of this initiative, 14 shops attached to Lohari Gate were successfully relocated. The conservation of these gates has now been completed in 2024. According to WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari, the protecting the history and legacy of Lahore is at the core of their mission. He said the rehabilitation of these iconic gates ensures that future generations will continue to appreciate and learn from the architectural beauty and cultural significance of the Walled City.

In another significant development, the WCLA has also launched the Bhatti Gate Conservation Project, with funding from the World Bank through the Punjab Tourism Economic Growth Programme (PTEGP). This ambitious project aims at rehabilitating Bhatti Gate and the adjacent trail to Katri Haji Allah Bakhsh (Taveela Shaikhen), with an estimated cost of Rs1,730million.

The project will be completed by 2025 and is divided into two phases: one focusing on the rehabilitation of house facades and the other on infrastructure improvements. Under the Bhatti Gate Conservation Project, a total of 538 properties are set to be rehabilitated, with work already completed on almost 190 buildings. Among these, 35 buildings are of significant architectural merit and are part of the heritage properties in the area. The project also includes restoration of the gate’s flooring, making the rooms functional for tourism purposes, as well as the addition of fresco lining and gate illumination to further enhance its historic charm.

“The rehabilitation of Bhatti Gate is an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to restore Lahore’s architectural marvels. This project will provide the city with a blend of cultural preservation and modern functionality, further boosting tourism and preserving the essence of our heritage,” Lashari added.