LAHORE; During the hearing of a case related to smog control, Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC) directed the Advocate General Punjab to submit a comprehensive report on the provincial government’s proposed Yellow Train project by August 1.
The court also summoned the Director General of WASA to appear in person and provide updates on the progress of ongoing construction work.
Justice Karim expressed dissatisfaction over previous infrastructure projects, remarking that billions of rupees had been wasted on the Multan Metro Bus initiative. He also questioned the current status and effectiveness of the government’s E-Bike programme, asking whether the bikes were actively being used or merely parked at homes.
The Environment Department was instructed to present a detailed traffic and motorcycle management plan, particularly addressing heavy traffic, as part of efforts to combat environmental pollution.
Justice Karim ordered WASA to complete all remaining construction work by Friday or face legal proceedings. The court further instructed the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) to finish the restoration of service roads on Jail Road, Mall Road, and MM Alam Road within one month.
While WASA’s counsel claimed that their work had been completed and that the responsibility for road reconstruction now lay with NIPA and the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), a member of the Judicial Water Commission contested this statement, asserting that WASA’s tasks were still unfinished.
Meanwhile, the counsel for the Environment Department informed the court that a policy regarding the use of E-Bikes and traffic control is under development and will soon be shared with both the Judicial Water Commission and the court.
Justice Karim emphasized that while the court can provide oversight, it is the government’s duty to ensure follow-up and implementation, especially regarding high-profile infrastructure and environmental projects like the Canal Road upgrade.
