LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that in order to reduce traffic load on Lahore roads, a 4-lane overhead expressway will be constructed from Kot Lakhpat to Niazi Chowk while one lane will be reserved for emergency, and the NESPAK has started work on the project in the light of the instructions of the Punjab government. He was presiding over a meeting at the CM Secretariat here on Thursday, regarding development project for the provincial metropolis. Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation, Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan and Members of the National and the Provincial Assembly from Lahore, Chief Secretary Punjab, Chairman P&D, Secretary C&W, DG, LDA, MD, WASA, Secretary Housing, Secretary Finance, DIG, Traffic and DCO Lahore were present in the meeting. Shahbaz Sharif said the 16.5-Km long proposed expressway would start from Kot Lakhpat and conclude at the Niazi Chowk via Kalma Chowk, Qurataba Chowk, Chowburji and the Data Darbar. "An amount of Rs 25 crore and 75 lacs has been approved for feasibility study and detailed design of the expressway and the whole project has been linked with the review report by an independent institution. The Thokar Niaz Beg flyover project is in the final stages of completion and all encroachments in the way, including petrol pumps, CNG filling stations, restaurants and a number of shops have been removed," he said while directing Secretary Communication and Works Department that all stages of construction work of the Thokar Niaz Beg flyover must be completed within the month of August. He further directed the heads of development agencies, district governments, WASA and officers of Communication and Works Department that all development activities in urban areas should be undertaken during the night so that people could be saved from traffic and other problems. He also directed the District Coordination Officer Lahore to strictly enforce the ban on the entry of private trucks and trolleys into the city limits from 6 am to 11.00 pm. The Chief Minister described that the use of black and yellow paint on the edges of roads as a waste of national resources and directed to stop this practice immediately. "Such yellow and black strips are not painted anywhere in the world and the wastage of crores of rupees on paints merely for beautification is not acceptable," he maintained. The Chief Minister also sought information from Members of National Provincial Assemblies about the situation in the provincial metropolis regarding drainage of rainwater yesterday. He was informed that the overall situation in the city remained satisfactory but due to an out of order pumping station in Tajpura the lift station did not operate as the result of which several feet high water accumulated in the area and also entered into the houses. Shahbaz Sharif said new sewer lines were laid in Tajpura area at a cost of Rs. 16 crore and inundation of the area during the rainy season had exposed the reality. He ordered inquiry by Chief Minister's Inspection Team into the sewerage project in Tajpura and submission of report within five days. The Chief Minister also reviewed the pace of construction work on Lahore-Kasur Ganda Singhwala Road and expressed his surprise over the fact that instead of utilising the existing road it had been dismantled and earmarked as median. He said he had never seen 26 feet wide median at any expressway. He directed Forest Department to plant saplings and trees on the median of the Road in such a manner that traffic headlights should not cause problem to the drivers travelling on either side of the road. He also issued instructions for inquiry by Chief Minister's Inspection Team into dismantling of newly constructed Bund Road and its subsequent reconstruction resulting in a loss of million of rupees to national exchequer. In response to the demands of Assembly Members regarding shifting of Ring Road to other side of the River Ravi, inclusion of Shahdara into ring road and linking it to Kala Shah Kaku and setting up of a housing colony in Shahdara, the Chief Minister directed to handover the matters to the committee set up under the chairmanship of AZK Sherdil, which would submit a detailed report.