Key Takeaways
- Restoration work in Lahore’s Walled City has slowed due to a shortage of funds.
- The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) needs additional Rs. 2.6 billion for ongoing projects.
- The authority has requested Rs. 600 million for improvements at Shah Alam Market.
Restoration work in Lahore’s Walled City has slowed due to a shortage of funds, with the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) seeking additional money from the Punjab government to meet its December 2026 deadline.
The ongoing Phase-I projects include an underground parking plaza at Neela Gumbad, estimated to cost Rs. 2.4 billion, which requires another Rs. 500 million.
A second underground parking plaza at Nasir Bagh, costing Rs. 1.6 billion, needs an additional Rs. 600 million.
The authority has also requested Rs. 600 million for improvements at Shah Alam Market, which includes restoring building facades, moving electricity wires underground and repairing the sewerage system.
Another Rs500 million is needed to improve the appearance of historic gates and relocate overhead wires underground. The sites include Yakki Gate, Taksali Gate, Mochi Gate and the Spice Market.
Separately, underground parking plazas and shops planned at Mochi Gate, Sheranwala Gate and Taksali Gate require a further Rs. 13 billion.
Funding delays have slowed progress and could push up overall project costs. The WCLA has urged the provincial government to release the required funds to keep the work on schedule.
WCLA conservation director Azeem Dad expressed confidence that the projects would be completed within the stipulated timeframe. He said the authority had requested funding and work would accelerate once the money was released.
