LAHORE  - The Punjab government Monday assured the Lahore High Court that no part of Lady Willingdon Hospital would be demolished for the construction of Azadi Chowk flyover.
Justice Abdul Sattar Asghar was hear a petition against proposed demolition of 83-year-old Lady Willingdon Hospital to construct a flyover at the said place. As proceedings started, a law officer appeared on behalf of Punjab government and submitted amended map and report for the construction of flyover.
He said Punjab government had withdrawn it decision of demolishing doctors’ hostel and place 9 feet away from the hostel had been chosen for the construction of flyover. The law officer assured the court that no part would be destroyed and made a request to the court to dismiss the petitions filed against constructions of flyover.
However, the petitioners’ counsel sought time to study Punjab government’s report. On it the court adjourned hearing for March 11(today).
Then court had already granted stay against demolition of the building of the hospital.
Young Doctors Association and PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid had filed the petitions submitting that the government was wasting huge money from public exchequer to build a flyover to strengthen Metro Bus project.
They said to complete the project; the government has planned demolishing a huge portion of the hospital.
They said health facilities are already not enough to cater a huge population which was increasing rapidly whereas the government was curtailing the existing health facilities instead of expanding them.
The petitioner argued that the government was violating fundamental rights ensured by Article 14, 10-A, 9, 24, 23, 19-A, 16, 15 and 25-A of the Constitution. The hospital was constructed 83 years ago on an area of 120 kanal while USAID showed its interests over up-gradation of the hospital but the government did not pay heed toward it.
YDA said that no prior NOC was obtained from the EPD for construction of the flyover.
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He said due to construction work at Azadi Chowk, thoroughfares to hospital are closed and patients have to take a long detour to enter the hospital.