LAHORE: The restoration and development of Lahore’s historic Walled City is facing delays because of a shortage of funds, with the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) seeking billions of rupees from the Punjab government to complete ongoing Phase-I projects by December 2026.
The projects are aimed at restoring the historic character of the Walled City while improving infrastructure, traffic management and the appearance of surrounding buildings.
However, work on several major schemes has slowed because the required funds have not yet been released.
Billions needed for underground parking
One of the major projects is an underground parking plaza at Neela Gumbad, which has an estimated cost of Rs2.4 billion. The project requires an additional Rs500 million to move forward.
Another underground parking facility at Nasir Bagh has been estimated at Rs1.6 billion, with a further Rs600 million required for the project.
The parking schemes are intended to address congestion and provide facilities for visitors and residents in and around the historic area.
Shah Alam Market facelift planned
The WCLA has also sought Rs600 million for improvements at Shah Alam Market.
The proposed work includes improving the facades of buildings, shifting electricity wires underground and repairing the sewerage system.
The measures are part of the authority’s broader plan to improve the visual character and basic infrastructure of the historic markets.
Around Rs500 million is also required to improve the appearance of several historic city gates and shift electricity infrastructure underground.
The sites include Yakki Gate, Taksali Gate, Mochi Gate and the Spice Market.
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Rs13 billion required for further projects
A much larger allocation of Rs13 billion has been sought for underground parking plazas and shops at Mochi Gate, Sheranwala Gate and Taksali Gate.
Work on these projects has slowed because of funding constraints, raising concerns that prolonged delays could increase their overall cost.
The WCLA has therefore requested the Punjab government to release the required funds so that construction and restoration work can accelerate and the authority can meet its December 2026 completion target.
WCLA confident of meeting deadline
Azeem Dad, director of the WCLA department responsible for the conservation of historic buildings, said development work was progressing under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the directions of the authority’s director general.
He expressed confidence that the projects would be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Dad said the authority had already requested the necessary funds from the Punjab government and that work would accelerate once the money was released.
The projects form part of broader efforts to preserve Lahore’s historic heritage while upgrading infrastructure and facilities in the Walled City. However, timely funding remains crucial if the Phase-I schemes are to be completed by the end of 2026.
