The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has begun beautifying The Mall, one of the main roads of Lahore, ahead of the winter season. The major artery, officially called Shahrah-e-Quaid-i-Azam, has one of the oldest landmarks in the city, the Tollinton Market, but in need of visual upgradation for some time. As part of the renovation campaign, the authority has grown grass on a six-kilometer-long and 30-feet-wide stretch from Charing Cross to Mian Mir bridge, according to a PHA spokesman. “We are also in the process of planting new trees and colorful flower beds to liven up the road,” he said on Sunday. The spokesperson emphasised the importance of preparing winter flower beds as a measure to combat smog by reducing dirt concentrations in the air. The makeover of The Mall was ordered by the authority’s director general, Muhammad Tahir Wattoo, to improve the quality of the roadscape and green areas along one of Lahore’s oldest roads. Under the project, the authority will also install new Multani tile-style planters from Club Chowk to Anarkali Bazaar chowk. Separately, to commercialise its nurseries and shore up revenues, the PHA is actively working to open Lahore’s largest government-owned nursery at Gulberg Main Boulevard. Spanning over more than four acres, the facility will house a wide array of seedlings, saplings, trees, shrubs, and other plant materials. It will also cater to various needs, including home decor, office landscaping, and agricultural purposes. “Plants grown and nurtured at this nursery will be offered to both government organisation’s and the general public,” the spokesman said. Furthermore, the staff will provide guidance to customers on repurposing household items for plant cultivation. Through this initiative, the authority also aims to cut horticulture procurement expenses, which make up a substantial portion of its development budget. The relevant government institutions such as the Forest Department operate commercial nurseries across their jurisdictions.
