Key Takeaways
- The Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) will restore Nehru Park in Lahore’s pre-partition Krishan Nagar area.
- The park marks the site where the Indian National Congress adopted its Purna Swaraj resolution in 1929.
- Restoration work will include planting greenery, installing night lights, and adding children’s swings.
The Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) has announced plans to restore Nehru Park, a historic site in Lahore’s pre-partition Krishan Nagar area, to its full grandeur. Director General Ahmad Usman Javaid made the announcement on Sunday.
Nehru Park holds significant historical importance as it was the site where the Indian National Congress adopted its Purna Swaraj resolution on December 31, 1929, during its historic Lahore session. The resolution called for complete self-rule and a total break from British rule. Jawaharlal Nehru, who was then Congress president, raised the Indian flag at the site to mark the declaration.
According to Javaid, the restoration work will combine horticultural and engineering efforts. The horticulture wing will plant lush green grass and colourful seasonal flowers, while the engineering team will install night lights, seating benches, and children’s swings to make the park more family-friendly.
The PHA has already undertaken several preliminary works, including repairing the boundary wall, adding decorative floral planters inside and outside the park, and installing a cricket pavilion. Decorative fountains will also be added to enhance the historic site further.
Javaid emphasized that Nehru Park is not only a public park but also a place of historical importance. He stated that it is the authority’s responsibility to preserve its character while restoring it as a vibrant green space for citizens.
The project is part of a broader plan to restore and renovate more than 800 smaller community parks under PHA’s jurisdiction across the city. Students and civil society groups will also be involved in the restoration process.
On the horticultural side, the PHA will improve tree-care monitoring through geo-tagging. A province-wide Geographic Information System is also being developed to create a detailed inventory of urban trees for real-time mapping, tracking, and conservation. Dedicated tree officers have been appointed in several districts to inspect trees, maintain digital records, process applications, supervise compensatory plantation, and enforce regulations.
Separately, the PHA will develop and rehabilitate parks in 11 newly added districts to improve green cover and urban landscapes. Enhancing existing parks and creating new green spaces remain among the authority’s top priorities for the current financial year.
