LAHORE: Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin has said that the plan to modernise Lahore, the country’s cultural hub, is underway. “In a short period of 14 months, there will be spacious parking and a beautiful garden facility on Taxali Gate Road, which will ease the pressure of heavy traffic, he said during his visit to the construction site of the underground plaza on Taxali Gate Road on Wednesday. During the visit, senior officials from the Punjab Communication and Works Department gave a briefing on the project. He was informed that the development will feature 639 shops spread across two floors, with the lower two levels dedicated to parking for cars and motorcycles. The construction will take place on 22 kanals of land and is expected to be completed by January 2027. On this occasion, the Minister stated that in just 14 months, there will be ample parking and beautifully landscaped garden facilities in an area experiencing heavy traffic congestion. He emphasised that this project will be a significant milestone in enhancing the beauty of inner Lahore and controlling pollution. He assured that the provision of state-of-the-art facilities for underground shops and parking has been prioritised. “The project will include a modern parking system, lifts, underground drainage, and adherence to safety SOPs. Following the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, additional underground plazas will be constructed to restore the cultural beauty of Lahore,” he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026