Neela Gumbad parking plaza reaches 90 percent completion

The Neela Gumbad Uplifting and Heritage Restoration Project in Lahore's Anarkali area has reached roughly 90 percent completion, with the underground parking plaza and the restoration of nearby heritage buildings being built at an estimated cost of about Rs 2.4 billion.

Lahore Development Authority Director General Tahir Farooq inspected the site on Sunday and was told that workers had finished about 90 percent of the work and were completing finishing work on all three basement levels, ProPakistani reported. He reviewed samples of lighting fixtures and tiles and inspected the seating area on the upper section of the plaza.

Farooq directed officials to speed up the remaining work, including asphalt carpeting on the link road connecting Mall Road with Neela Gumbad, installation of the parking management system, painting and flooring. He asked the project director and contractor to complete finishing work on all associated structures and to submit daily progress reports. TEPA Chief Engineer Iqrar Hussain and the project director briefed him on the construction progress and the remaining components.

Business Recorder reported a separate site visit on Saturday by Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority Director General Najmussaqib, who was accompanied by Punjab Local Government Secretary Zaid Bin Maqsood, LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Capt. Ali Ijaz (retd), the TEPA chief engineer and Assistant Commissioner Amir Liaqat. Najmussaqib said the project would improve the urban landscape while preserving the historical character of the area and would revitalise underused urban spaces by turning them into public places for social, cultural and community activity. He said all works must follow approved plans and required standards, with attention to the site's heritage significance.

The underground structure has three basement levels designed to hold roughly 374 to 375 cars and 790 to 800 motorcycles, built to ease congestion around Mayo Hospital and the Anarkali bazaar. The surface level is planned as a public park with food and cafeteria points.

The heritage component covers the 350-year-old Neela Gumbad, built around 1673, the Deori, the Ewing Hall building that once served as the FC College hostel, and the First Bank of India building. Local commercial space, including the cycle market, is to be reorganised and relocated.

TEPA, the PWCA, the LDA and NESPAK are running the project jointly. Business Recorder put progress at more than 80 to 90 percent by late 2026, while ProPakistani reported 90 percent. Neither report gave a date for the plaza to open to motorists.