January 29, 2026 by Shoaib Ijaz
The Walled City of Lahore has been experiencing a nightmare of parking daily, with a population of thousands of residents and visitors. The Androon Lahore narrow streets were constructed many centuries ago, when there were no vehicles. Finally, the government of Punjab has accepted a grandiose solution, the building of six underground parking plazas in the historic gates of the city, in order to start resolving these long-standing traffic issues.
The provincial cabinet approved the development of six underground parking plazas in the inner city for Rs. 31.5 billion. These underground walled city parking plazas of Lahore are being placed in the 6 iconic sites, which have been strategically chosen by the government of the city.
are some of the approved locations. These gates have been the principal gates of Lahore for several centuries. They will now accommodate current parking stations underneath their old buildings.
All the places have been selected following thorough research on traffic, number of visitors, and space availability. The Construction and Works Department will be involved in construction at all six sites at the same time as the work commences.
The total cost of the whole six parking plazas underground amounts to Rs 31.5 billion. This huge budget shows that the provincial government is determined to modernize Androon Lahore while maintaining its heritage. Within each site, funding is done separately depending on the size and complexity of the construction.
The most costly underground facility will be at Sheranwala Gate of Rs 8 billion. This site demands a lot of engineering since it is at the central location and has a large number of visitors. The plaza will be the largest in capacity compared to all six facilities.
Delhi Gate will cost Rs 6 billion, with Mochi Gate, Taxali Gate, and Shah Alam Gate costing 5.2 billion each. The most cost-effective project will be Bhatti Gate with a cost of only 2 billion, yet it will offer a rigid parking alleviation to its commercial periphery.
One of the strategic locations has already started to be constructed. The 22-kanal Taxali Gate underground plaza is also being created. Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin visited the site recently to check development and ensure completion on schedule.
The government has put the deadline of January 2027 to complete the Taxali facility, which will comprise 639 commercial shops in 2 stores with car and motorcycle parking on two lower levels. This is a multi-purpose design that ensures the maximum use of land and the generation of income in terms of commercial space.
This parking project is a component of a larger project of redeveloping Androon Lahore. It is not just about solving the parking issues, but the restoration of the whole beauty and functionality of the historic area. Such facilities will assist in maintaining the cultural heritage and also fulfilling the demands of contemporary cities. The underground structure means that historic gates will be avoided, which will be interfered with at the surface.
The floor design of every underground parking plaza in Lahore will be state-of-the-art. The automated parking controller systems will lead the drivers to open parking spaces. Contemporary ventilation keeps the quality of air safe in underground areas.
The safety of cars and visitors will be monitored 24/7 with the use of security cameras and lighting. Fire safety equipment’s are international standards including emergency exits. There is clear signage in different languages that enables tourists to move around the facilities without any trouble. The plazas will be equipped with cars and motorcycles that will have sections.
The problem of the existing parking shortages is the most challenging issue for the residents. They tend to park their cars much farther than the houses and walk in the crowded streets.
Fewer traffic congestion implies that it is easy to drive through small lanes. The ease of parking will also benefit local businesses because the number of visitors will increase.
Citizens will also save time in seeking parking and more time in community pleasure. Less parking on the streets will result in increased spacing of walks.
A good portion of the economy of the Walled City development is a result of tourism. Tourists go to see Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, food streets, and traditional bazaars. The existing parking challenges tend to dishearten prospective tourists from visiting the area fully.
The owners of the shops expect to grow their business after parking is enhanced. At present, there are numerous clients who do not go to Walled City shopping because of parking problems. Access to vehicles with ease will bring additional shoppers to the conventional markets to sustain hundreds of small businesses and craftspeople.
On top of the Walled City development, there are several other under-construction projects in Lahore that solve the urban challenges. A car park plaza that was to be constructed underground, close to Nasir Bagh, was approved on a budget of Rs 1.8 billion. This space will facilitate parking around the civil courts and secretariat.
There is a second plaza to be built at Neela Gumbad, estimated to cost more than Rs 2.24 billion. It will have three floors with a capacity of 374 vehicles and 790 motorcycles, and will be constructed on 16 kanals. The site itself, the historic Neela Gumbad, is part of the project.
The under-construction projects in Lahore in an ancient neighborhood of centuries pose special engineering challenges. The archaeological artifacts are buried and need to be handled carefully. The engineers should make sure that the construction will not destroy historic buildings above the ground.
The groundwater levels are great in Lahore, hence strong waterproofing and drainage mechanisms are required; unless correctly engineered, underground facilities may flood during monsoon seasons. The composition of the soil in the various gates is different. Every site requires a unique foundation design depending on the geological survey.
Taxali Gate has a confirmed deadline of January 2027, but other facilities have no announced deadlines. The construction must be in phases in order to reduce the inconvenience to the traffic and businesses in the Walled City.
The achievement of one or two plazas in the first stage is a confirmation of success and a statement of confidence among people. Premature completions are also an instant relief as construction of other sites continues.
The whole six-plaza project may require three to five years, according to realistic estimates. Nevertheless, partial completion will go a long way in improving the availability of parking in Androon Lahore.
Building creates jobs for the local Indians. These projects will be worked on for years by skilled laborers, engineers, and support staff. This employment gives families an income as well as enhancing infrastructure in the community.
Purchases of concrete, steel, electrical systems, and machinery aid different industries. The investment of Rs 31.5 billion passes through the economy of Lahore and causes ripple effects.
When it becomes operational, there will be a need for permanent staff to manage the parking facilities, provide security, and perform maintenance. These are jobs that offer a constant income to the locals. Parking fees can be used to finance other enhancements in the Walled City.
The first popular response was mostly favorable. People are open to any remedy for long-term parking crises. Improved accessibility shall provide the business owners with economic benefits. When parking is convenient, the operators of tourism anticipate increased visitors.
Heritage activists keep a watch on the project. They are concerned that it will not ruin historic buildings or change the nature of the Walled City. Scheduling meetings with heritage experts is one way of handling these issues.
These walled city parking plazas are part of the overall smart city idea of Lahore. Sensor networks have been used to measure the air quality, traffic movement, and utilization of facilities. Data analytics are used to improve parking management and enhance next-generation urban planning.
Bookings and payments will be enabled through mobile apps in the future. The incorporation of GPSs helps drivers to reach their reserved parking spaces efficiently. Real-time availability is indicated on digital screens and allows for saving time on searching.
Connection with city-wide traffic management systems aids in streamlining traffic. Traffic lights will be able to divert traffic to less busy corridors when the parking space becomes congested. This coordination obstructs congestion at entry gates.
Lahore is currently experiencing significant infrastructure development, like underground parking plazas and smart traffic systems, and the significance of living in a well-planned and future-oriented housing society is even more evident. Eastern Housing Lahore best fits this vision of planned urbanization with the provision of contemporary infrastructure, a safe environment, and smartly planned residential and commercial areas.
It is easily accessible to most of the prominent areas in Lahore. Eastern Housing Lahore offers a luxury lifestyle, with emphasis on affordability and investment development. It enhances the interest of family, professionals, and investors towards a progressive and well-managed future in Lahore.
The six underground car parks are exemplary infrastructure for the historic Walled City of Lahore. It is a Rs 31.5 billion project, which will solve decades of parking issues without interfering with the cultural heritage. The project has shown the possibility of the coexistence of modern solutions with historic preservation.
Androon Lahore should have infrastructure that is appropriate to its international status. Such facilities will not only improve the quality of life of residents, but they will also boost local business, as well as increase the number of tourists visiting the facilities. The transformation of the parking area by Walled City, Lahore, demonstrates how appropriate city planning addresses the modern challenges without disrespecting the history.
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