Project to restore historic Nehru Park in Pakistan's Lahore begins

LAHORE, Sep 30 : The project to restore Nehru Park, a historic site related to the Indian Independence movement, in the Krishan Nagar neighbourhood of Lahore in Pakistan's Punjab province has begun, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Nehru Park marks the site where the Indian National Congress adopted its Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) resolution on December 31, 1929, during its historic Lahore session.

The resolution demanded full self-rule for India and complete independence from British rule.

Jawaharlal Nehru, then Congress president, raised the Indian flag at the site to mark the declaration.

Parks Horticulture Authority (PHA) Director General Ahmad Usman Javaid told reporters that the government has decided to fully restore the historic Nehru Park and work in this regard has begun.

"The horticultural wing is using lush green grass and colourful seasonal flowers to give the park a renewed look while the engineering team will install night lights, benches and children's swings to make it more family-friendly," he said.

He said the PHA will also repair the boundary wall, add decorative floral planters inside and outside the park, and install a cricket pavilion.

"Several decorative fountains will be added to further enhance the beauty of the historic park. Nehru Park is not just a public park but a site of historical importance. It is our responsibility to preserve its character while restoring it as a vibrant green space for citizens," Javaid said, adding that the restoration will soon be completed.

The project is part of a broader plan to restore and renovate over 800 smaller community parks under PHA jurisdiction across the city of gardens, he said, adding that students and civil society groups will be involved in the restoration process.

Earlier this year, the Punjab government had announced restoring the pre-partition names of several roads and streets of Lahore but deferred it following pressure from extremist elements. (PTI)