LAHORE – The Punjab government is planning to construct 1,362 modern, and aesthetically pleasing bus shelters across the province to enhance the comfort and dignity of citizens during their travels.
The decision was made in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, where the design of the shelters and a timeline for their completion were finalised.
The new shelters will be built in 19 districts of Punjab and are expected to be completed within 45 to 60 days, providing a more comfortable and dignified travel experience for commuters.
Work has already begun on 588 bus shelters, with tenders for 774 more shelters currently in progress.
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasised that the project is aimed at offering relief to the elderly, women, and other citizens who currently have to endure long waits in extreme weather conditions.
“These modern bus shelters will not only improve the travel experience but also enhance the beauty of our cities,” the chief minister said.
A day earlier, Punjab government has imposed ban on Chingchi rickshaws on five major Lahore roads: Mall Road, Jail Road, Canal Road, Main Gulberg, and Ferozepur Road.
The stern decision comes amid high-level meeting on traffic management, as ban is part of broader reforms aimed at ensuring road safety and reducing congestion in the city. “Lahore’s traffic situation must improve, and this step is necessary for organized, safe, and smooth transport,” officials said.
The move comes alongside other key traffic reforms, including strict enforcement of helmet rules, a crackdown on underage driving, removal of passengers from bus rooftops, and a 30-day deadline for compliance with new traffic regulations. Vehicles repeatedly violating traffic rules will now face heavy fines or even auctioning in the case of repeated offenses.
Punjab Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb highlighted that petrol-run Chingchis are a major contributor to air pollution. The government is using modern technology, smog guns, and enforcement measures to improve the Air Quality Index (AQI), alongside initiatives to reduce crop residue burning and increase tree plantation.
“This ban on Chingchis is not just about traffic, it’s part of a larger effort to protect public health and the environment,” officilas said, assuring citizens of consistent government action to provide clean air and safer roads.
