asih Abbas Bawa lives in Gulberg II. He says MM Alam Road once felt like a walk in the park. But the road’s charm has long faded under the weight of unchecked traffic congestion, lack of parking space and a constant rush of vehicles. There is a constant battle for parking space along the road and in front of eateries and brand stores. “It is no longer a place to enjoy an evening stroll,” he says. For many residents and visitors, MM Alam Road and the nearby Main Market have become no-go areas. The two localities present a perfect picture of Lahore’s urban challenges.

The Lahore Development Authority has announced ambitious plans to remodel several major city markets, including MM Alam Road and the G-1 Market in Johar Town, to address these issues. According to a press release, the decision has been taken due to growing concerns over traffic congestion, pollution and poor infrastructure. However, the plan has not been shared with some of the key stakeholders including the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency, the Water and Sanitation Agency, the Lahore Electric Supply Company and the Safe City Authority, who, say they have not been consulted.

One such initiative, aiming to ease traffic, reduce pollution and improve pedestrian mobility on MM Alam Road was announced in 2022. The LDA had then claimed that increasing traffic on the roads had led to congestion, pollution and challenges for pedestrians, especially at key points like Hussain Chowk and the Mini Market roundabout. The 2022 plan included major changes to align these roads with international standards. It was said that MM Alam Road would be fully pedestrianized. It was also to feature greenbelts, benches, parking spaces and improved security. The proposal included elimination of encroachments, upgrade of building facades, improvement of the sewerage system, standardisation of signage and installation of modern LED streetlights. Only LED streetlights were installed. The rest of the plan remained unexecuted.

In 2011, the authority had converted the two-kilometer MM Alam Road stretch from Hussain Chowk to Main Boulevard into a two-way street with a median. Now the road features four lanes, each side measuring 24 metres. An additional 10 metres on each sides has been earmarked for parking. The 2011 rehabilitation envisioned five U-turn crossings for better traffic flow. The plan was later dropped.

The ambitious 2011 plan had included parking plazas, a flyover and a tram system. None of this materialized due to funding constraints. Now, the LDA is going to give another try to the selected roads and markets.

Director General Tahir Farooq has said that utility companies have been instructed to remove their infrastructure to pave the way for re-development. “Once they are done, we will start the civil works,” he said. Pressed for details, no LDA official was willing to go on record. This lack of transparency has raised eyebrows among residents, environmentalists and professionals.

On many occasions, environmentalists have suggested a radical solution for MM Alam Road: it should be turned into a grassy pedestrian avenue where vehicles are prohibited. This could have reduced pollution, encouraged walking and brought back some of its lost charm. This vision aligns with global trends in urban planning where pedestrian-friendly spaces are prioritised for cleaner air.

LDA’s 2024 remodeling plan for MM Alam Road is estimated to cost Rs 1.23 billion. The project includes enhanced pedestrian zones, underground electricity supply and one-way traffic from Hussain Chowk to Mini Market. Linear parking near sidewalks and uniform setbacks of 30 feet in front of shops are also proposed. 

LDA’s 2024 remodeling plan for MM Alam Road is estimated to cost Rs 1.23 billion. The project includes enhanced pedestrian zones, underground electrification and one-way traffic from Hussain Chowk to Mini Market. Linear parking near sidewalks and uniform setbacks of 30 feet in front of shops are also proposed.

The G-1 Market in Johar Town is set to similarly undergo a sea change. The market is known for its chaotic traffic, encroachments and cleanliness problems. The LDA plans to remove unauthorised structures and create additional parking lots. Standardised signage for shops and the relocation of utility services underground are also part of the plan.

The LDA says that its governing body has approved the plan and that it will execute the project with its own funds. The authority says that a deadline will be announced soon.

Despite these statements, questions about execution persist. The TEPA, the WASA and the Safe City Authority have not been consulted. “We haven’t received any formal communication from the LDA,” a spokesperson for the WASA says. Without the involvement of these agencies, experts warn, the remodeling efforts might face significant delays or fail to achieve the intended outcomes.

Citizens are divided over the project.

Muhammad Waleed, who works at DaftarKhwan on MM Alam Road, is not too excited about the makeover.

“I think the project will take at least a year. During that period, the commute will be a daily,” he says.

Most of the traders, however, have welcomed the development. They say that by addressing longstanding issues such as parking shortages and inadequate pedestrian facilities, the project will attract more visitors and businesses.

Sheikh Saleem, a leader of the MM Alam Road traders, says this development will raise property values and encourage more commercial activity. “We urge the authorities to complete the project in time to minimise disruptions to businesses.”

The urgency of these projects is underscored by Lahore’s growing environmental crisis. The city has consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted urban centres, with smog becoming a recurring nightmare. Reducing vehicular emissions through improved traffic flow and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure is a critical step toward combating this issue. However, the success of such measures hinges on effective planning and execution.

In recent years, MM Alam Road has become a commercial hub of upscale brands and food outlets which draw crowds. The problems have turned it into a bottleneck. “The market needs a holistic solution, not just cosmetic changes,” says Waleed. “If the government wants to make the neighbourhood livable, they should engage everyone, including residents, businesses and utility providers.”

The LDA must make its decision making more transparent. It should also consult all stakeholders about the features of development projects.

A good plan is for future, not the next few years.

The writer is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship