FWO to construct southern loop of Lahore Ring Road

Lahore : An agreement was signed between Punjab government and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) for the construction of southern loop of Lahore Ring Road. Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest on the occasion.

Acting head of Lahore Ring Road Authority Commissioner Lahore Division and Director DOT FWO Sardar Salman Sher Qaisrani signed the agreement under which FWO will build Southern Loop I and II of Lahore Ring Road and the project will be completed within a year.

The Chief Minister said that the southern loop of the Ring Road will be state-of-the-art. The project under the partnership of Punjab government and FWO will be completed on August 14, 2017. People of Punjab as well as the whole country will fully benefit from this project which will be a masterpiece of standard and transparency. He said that there is a need for further improving policing system for the Ring Road and no overloaded vehicle should be allowed on this road.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Southern Loop-I and II will be 22.6 kilometer long and will cost Rs. 24.292 billion. Punjab government has paid a sum of Rs. 4.25 billion for acquiring land and shifting of utility services. Shehbaz Sharif said that the agreement for the construction of Southern Loop I and II has been made minutely.

He congratulated DG FWO Maj. Gen. Muhammad Afzal, Commissioner Lahore Division and their teams on the signing ceremony. He said that the bidding process has been completed transparently and despite making lowest bid, FWO has further reduced the amount. He said that it is the real spirit of cooperation which has been displayed by Punjab government and construction wing of Pakistan Army.

Shahbaz Sharif said that he brought FWO and NLC to Punjab in 1998 and main Boulevard Gulberg constructed by FWO in 1998 lasted for 18 years. He said that selection of Maj. Gen. Muhammad Afzal for FWO by Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif is correct and he maintains quality of projects in the real sense.

DG FWO Maj. Gen. Muhammad Afzal while speaking on the occasion said that Punjab government and FWO held negotiations for the project in detail.

He thanked Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab government, Commissioner Lahore Division and his team for extending full cooperation.

He said that a lot of efforts were made by the teams of FWO and Punjab government for giving a final shape to the project and the agreement is being made under the guidance of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for the construction of Southern Loop-I and II. Chief Secretary, Members Assembly, Malik Saif ul Malook, Malik Ghulam Habib Awan, Ch. Gulzar Ahmed Gujjar, former MPA Rana Mubashar Iqbal, Talha Barki, senior officials of FWO and officers concerned were present on the occasion.