ISLAMABAD – Nasser Bagh, a green gem located in heart of Lahore, faces constant traffic chaos with nearby universities, bustling Anarkali market, and courts bringing crowds, and finding parking spot in first half of day has become nearly impossible.
Lahore Development Authority (LDA) started work on massive underground parking plaza at Nasser Bagh, modeled after the city’s iconic Neela Gumbad design. Covering 11 kanals, the two-level basement facility promises space for 256 cars and 510 motorcycles, aiming to tackle traffic woes and provide motorists a secure off-street parking option.
The project is being executed by Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (TEPA), to cut traffic congestion, harmful vehicle emissions, and improve air quality across the area.
Officials highlighted that 123 trees were carefully relocated under the supervision of horticulture experts, a step meant to safeguard the park’s greenery during construction. Yet, despite these measures, residents and heritage advocates are sounding the alarm.
Some fear that the plaza will compromise landscaping, historic charm, and the natural ambiance of the beloved Nasser Bagh.
Civil society organizations have already mobilized, announcing a protest on December 2 to voice their objections. Dr. Ajaz Anwar, representing the Lahore Conservation Society, warned the government to reconsider the location, urging officials to shift the parking project to a less sensitive area to protect the city’s cultural and environmental heritage.
With construction underway and tensions rising, the Nasser Bagh parking project has become the center of a heated debate, pitting urban development ambitions against conservation and public sentiment.
