|
The
Allama Iqbal International Airport
Lahore is one of the most accessible cities of
Pakistan. In addition to the historic Grand Trunk
Road (G.T. road), a motorway was completed in 1997
from Lahore to Islamabad. The government has built
underpasses to ease congestion and prevent traffic
jams, and according to official figures, Lahore has
the highest number of underpasses in Pakistan.
Pakistan
Railways
The Pakistan Railways headquarters is
located in Lahore. Pakistan Railways provides an
important mode of transportation for commuters and
connects distant parts of the country with Lahore
for business, sight-seeing, pilgrimage, and
education. The Lahore Central Railway Station, built
during the British colonial era, is located in the
heart of the city.
Lahore Railway Station
To
accommodate increased air travel, the government
built a new city airport in 2003.It was named Allama
Iqbal International Airport after the national poet
of Pakistan, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and is served by
international airlines as well as the national flag
carrier, Pakistan International Airlines. The
previous airport now operates as the Hajj Terminal
to facilitate the great influx of pilgrims traveling
to Saudi Arabia to perform the hajj every year.
Lahore also has a general aviation airport known as
Walton Airport.
Despite these
improvements, Lahore struggles for safety on its
roads, which are dangerous because the number of
vehicles overwhelms the road space. Massive
congestion occurs every day as millions of Lahoris
travel through disorganised, fast-moving traffic,
and accidents are rife. The government is trying to
improve traffic conditions by constructing overhead
bridges, underpasses, and conducting public safety
campaigns. Plans exist for a mass-transit system in
the city and a high-speed railway between Lahore and
Rawalpindi.
|
