Neela Gumbad transformation project to be completed in three months
LAHORE:If all goes well, just after the next three months, Lahore’s one of the most traffic congested area, Neela Gumbad, will be completely transformed into a walk-friendly vicinity.
Chief Engineer, Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA), Iqrar Hussain while talking with the scribe, said 76 per cent work on the project was completed and it will be ready by October 2026.
“The project started on 10th October 2025 with an estimated cost of Rs 2451.16 million and its completion date is October 09, 2026, which will be met with as out of the total funds, 78 percent were spent, and 76 percent physical work is completed,” he said.
Situated in between the King Edward Medical College, Punjab University, Anarkali Bazaar, Bicycle Market, Tyre Market, Bank Square and other business centers, Neela Gumbad is the shrine of Sufi Saint Sheikh Abdul Razzak Maki, constructed in 1673 during Emperor Aurangzeb’s era.
Named for its prominent blue-tiled dome, the complex included a mosque and garden and has undergone various transformations, including use as weapons storage facility during the Sikh period and cafeteria during the British rule. Despite being Lahore’s cultural heritage, the site was ignored in the past and every visitor of the area always think twice about where to park his vehicle (bike or car). Encroachments, lack of parking, theft of vehicles, traffic congestion and traffic jams are some of the most daily problems being faced by the citizens at this site.
However, the TEPA has come forward with a novel idea of remodeling the vicinity into European style by demolishing the outer shops and constructing three basements out of which two will be used for parking while the outer shops will be shifted in the first basement.
Giving details of the project, the TEPA Chief Engineer said that the area of plot was about 16 kanal and the proposed parking basements will have a capacity of 374 cars and 790 motorcycles. He said a total of 62 shops and nine houses will be demolished under the transformation project while state-of-the-art amenities including walkways, controlled parking management system, modern firefighting system, CCTV, public washrooms, lift, etc. will be added.
He said TEPA overcame all the site constraints, including replanting of 29 trees, safe demolition of structures including shops and houses, and shifting of utility services (electricity, Sui Gas, water and drainage) at the site.
Talking about the basements, he said the first basement will have 69 shops and parking for 58 cars and 280 bikes while the remaining two basements will provide parking for 158 cars and 255 bikes each.
About the recently imposed ban on excavations by the housing department, Iqrar said all the excavation work at Neela Gumbad was already done so the ban will not affect the ongoing project and it will be completed at its scheduled dates.
He assured that during the ongoing monsoon season, the agency has taken all precautionary measures to prevent any untoward accident. He said strict directions were already issued to the project contractors to strictly implement the safety SOPs.After completion, the site of Neela Gumabad will become Lahore’s first walk-friendly vicinity and will attract large number of locals as well as foreign tourists.