Signboard restricting bikes, rickshaws in Lahore’s premier business district removed after social media uproar

A signboard installed by the Central Business District (CBD) authorities, which restricted the entry of motorcyclists, rickshaws and a couple other transport vehicles to the provincial capital’s premier business district, has been removed following strong reactions on social media.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, senior leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and former railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique had also objected to the signboard.

“Central Business District Authority placed this board [signboard] at the start of the Kalma Chowk/Walton-road flyover. Motorcycles and rickshaws are public’s choice of transport. A ban on such transport in the area is unacceptable,” he had said, adding that such a ban would make the CBD a “no-go area”.

He had also later revealed having spoken to CBD authorities, announcing that the restriction would be lifted and the flyover be declared thoroughfare.

“Alhamdulillah, the mentioned board has been removed. Thank you, CBD,” he wrote in a subsequent post.

Earlier, CBD successfully completed the upgradation of Walton Road, covering a stretch of 4.5 kilometres.

A CBD spokesperson said that the project marked a significant step towards modernising Lahore’s urban infrastructure and improving the daily commute for thousands of residents.

As part of the upgradation, a newly-installed inaugural monument now stands as a symbol of progress at Walton Road. Out of the five planned overhead pedestrian crossing bridges, two have been installed, with the remaining three nearing completion.

The key features of the project include latest sewerage system, diversion of Adda Nullah, Major Ishaq Shaheed flyover, the installation of lane markings and modern LED streetlights.