Canal Road Widening

[Fookie]

This topic has been raised before.

I dont know why a group of elite aunties branding themselves as environmentalists have hijacked this issue.

As much as I care for the environment and climate change, this road needs to be widened.

Thousands of cars pump out carbon dioxide in hours long traffic jams, dozens of accidents everyday claim lives and handicap people. Hours are wasted here and to make up for the time loss people drive rashly even when their off the canal.

And all that noise pollution doesn't really make it a good home for birds- as these aunties show in their heart warming promo videos - just to get a few extra euros from tree-huggers abroad.

Lahore is the 2nd largest city in Pakistan, and the only road in and out of the city (connecting two major north and south highways) is two lanes wide in a dilapidated condition.

And then there are some real bigshots living along the canal and they dont want their property value depreicaited.

Its a simple matter but NGOs, CityFM-89 wannabe RJs, WWF and elite aunties have complicated in courts.

The Lahore Bachao tehreek even wants the canal to be declared an international cultural heritage site and the roads finished on both side. Why not seal off all of Multan where u have a cultural shrine after every mile.

Environmental problems are a huge challenge but those campaigning so vigorously for them should first sell their SUVs and travel on a bike to work to prove they are in it for real and not for the euros.

Its like lawyers calling for the reinstatement of Iftikhar Ch, but accepting PCO judges on the other hand.

It is very sad that such old trees will have to be cut down, but this is one sacrifice we need to make.

[Kursed]

If people can learn to drive in lanes, observe the lane rules and not try to one up each other as soon as they get a chance, there will be no traffic jams on the canal bank road.

You can give them a motorway sized road (case in point Main Boulevard) and they'll still find ways to jam it. Pakistanis deserve nothing more than single laned roads, which can keep 'em in line, unless and until they learn to drive and observe traffic rules.

[Fookie]

Originally Posted by Kursed

If people can learn to drive in lanes, observe the lane rules and not try to one up each other as soon as they get a chance, there will be no traffic jams on the canal bank road.

You can give them a motorway sized road (case in point Main Boulevard) and they'll still find ways to jam it. Pakistanis deserve nothing more than single laned roads, which can keep 'em in line, unless and until they learn to drive and observe traffic rules.

If we learnt the right way to do everything we wouldn't be such a failed state.

You cant have rickshaws, tongas, bikes , trucks on a two lane road. Such a critical road needs to be wide even if people know how to drive.

[Kursed]

Don't remember ever seeing a tonga on Main Boulevard, still it gets jammed every now and then because those driving 'Cars' are criss-crossing through lanes on will. Seen some of the worst accidents on the same road as well.

As far as I see it, whip with proper leather lashes people who do this, and you won't need to widen any other roads any more. Simple!

Canal Bank road is already wide enough, if people drive properly. We're not landing C-130s there.

[Fookie]

Originally Posted by Kursed

Don't remember ever seeing a tonga on Main Boulevard, still it gets jammed every now and then because those driving 'Cars' are criss-crossing through lanes on will. Seen some of the worst accidents on the same road as well.

As far as I see it, whip with proper leather lashes people who do this, and you won't need to widen any other roads any more. Simple!

Canal Bank road is already wide enough, if people drive properly. We're not landing C-130s there.

There is never a traffic jam on the Boulevard, except at the Liberty Roundabout at school time. And that too was "falsely widened" by repainting the lanes. You cant compare both roads.

And two lanes is enough for the road that connects the second largest city to highways?. This is not Kasur, this is Lahore.

Think of it this way. You cant increase the quality of education to deal with an over growing population. Of-course that is very important but more kids need more school- along with good standards.

[Cateye]

Canal road just need some repair and after every couple of KM a proper bus stop... and in couple of years when Ring road project will be completed it will be all OK... Punjab Govt. should build a road which should join Allama Iqbal town with canal.

[E-KEY]

Then It would be Nice!

[Digital Jedi]

There are cars overtaking from both sides, and people suddenly changing lanes, driving in such conditions is indeed tiresome and frustrating. People need to improve themselves, otherwise if they keep on driving like this, even 20 lanes would not be enough!

If people keep on driving like this, one solution is an alternate system, like rail (underground or 10-20 feet above) the roads!

[Kursed]

Fookie, I've seen smaller roads cater to 'larger' amounts of traffic outside Pakistan. It's very much humanly possible, if people were to actually know how to drive.

And yes, Main Boulevard gets jammed every other day at the traffic signals, so please!

If Punjab government actually wants to cater to this issue, it should send all offenders back to driving school. And fine them, heavily, if they commit these mistakes again. Specially those bastards who want to take an exit on the far left, while driving in the far right lane on the road.

[Digital Jedi]

Specially those bastards who want to take an exit on the far left, while driving in the far right lane on the road.

Yeah, they are the most annoying, specially when i was learning to drive, i had no idea what to do and what he's going to do!

[Fookie]

Your are suggesting a long term solution.
But for now, the trees need to go.

[Kursed]

No, they do not. You do not cut your arm, if its broken and needs a cast for a month or so.

[noman]

just stop the busses......and reinstate the hiace system..........bus is so friggin big...even if it slows down...takes the whole road with IT..

[navid_ahmed]

Cutting the trees and widening the road will definitely improve the situation however it will not solve it completely. What Lahore need is the rule of Speed limits and lane changing. I am not saying it will solve the problem but if both rules are implemented, Inshallah we will see very few accidents, less traffic jams and less hard braking.

They fine you on Mall road if you cross the lane at the wrong place. they should mark the lanes and start fining people on each road.

Another issue which Lahore is the Rickshaw problem. They have no indicators, no horns and they can turn light or left in a blink of an eye. And the worst part is that there are just too many Rickshaws (thanks to the illogical rozgar scheme of previous government).

Rickshaw and wagons, they really make the traffic worse.

[mani1]

Most you dont even have slightest idea about the problem. Canal needs to be widened. There is no question about it. Heres why

1)The whole canal road is built in tranches with different widths and materials which leads to funneling effect. In simple language, 6 lanes from doctors hospital convert into 2 lanes at PU and stay the same for good 1-2 km which causes a havoc there almost 24/7. Same is the case at other points along the canal. Different materials and aging of different tranches have resulted in deterioration of some parts of canal e.g. in front of canal view housing society which results in uneven ride and discomfort for all motorists.

2)It is the only main road which Lahore has. The only other comparable road is Main Boulevard Gulberg till Faisal Town Chowk but that road does not even handles a fraction of traffic which canal handles. Traffic problems of lahore can not be solved unless and until you widen the canal to atleast 4 lane road throughout or burn half the cars of lahore.

And yes, all you tree lovers out there....dont worry....Shahbaz Sharif loves trees more than all of you combined. With any widening of the canal, all trees would be planted again.