Lahore has officially launched Pakistan’s first smart road, Route 47, which not only enhances urban mobility but also generates its own electricity.
The 4.5-kilometre stretch, located in the heart of the city, incorporates cutting-edge technology, including solar panels embedded in its sidewalks, to produce up to one megawatt of energy.
Unveiled by the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (CBD Punjab), Route 47 weaves through Kalma Chowk and links several of Lahore’s busiest arteries, including Ferozepur Road, Gulberg Main Boulevard, Walton Road, and the Lahore Ring Road.
The Rs9 billion (approximately US$32 million) project stands as a central element in the larger vision for the city’s CBD, designed to become a hub for modern commerce and information technology.
Route 47: Smart Features and Sustainable Innovation
Described by officials as Pakistan’s first smart road, Route 47 integrates several forward-looking design elements. A nearly one-kilometre flyover eases traffic congestion, while dedicated pedestrian and bicycle lanes ensure safer, eco-friendly commuting options.
In a city frequently plagued by urban flooding during monsoon season, Route 47’s advanced drainage system was purpose-built to prevent water accumulation. Sidewalks are being outfitted with solar panels—an innovative feature that offers dual benefits.
“I believe this is Pakistan’s first smart road that will also produce energy,” said Imran Amin, CEO of CBD Punjab. “It meets international standards and incorporates several smart features.”
These solar panels will not only provide shade for pedestrians but are also expected to generate up to one megawatt of electricity, contributing to Lahore’s renewable energy mix.
A Tribute to National History
The naming of the flyover and boulevard as “Route 47” carries symbolic weight. According to Riaz Hussain, Executive Director (Technical) and Chief Engineer of the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority, the designation commemorates a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s history.
“This is a very important project in terms of linking Kalma Chowk/Gulberg directly with Walton Road through the newly-constructed CBD main boulevard and a flyover which has been named as Route-47 in remembrance of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s first landing at Walton Airport in 1947 after existence of Pakistan,” Hussain told Dawn.
Transforming former Walton Airport into vertical Metropolis
Route 47 runs through the site of the former Walton Airport—a 300-acre expanse now undergoing transformation into a high-rise commercial zone. This ambitious redevelopment initiative forms the backbone of Lahore’s emerging Central Business District.
Under the broader project umbrella, “Development of Central Business District—Walton Infrastructure,” several components have already been delivered. These include the earlier Kalma Chowk Remodeling with its two underpasses and vital linkages to Firdaus Market and Centre Point.
Infrastructure work in the district is nearing completion. Authorities have installed modern sewage and stormwater management systems, constructed two multi-level parking plazas, and are finalizing an artificial lake designed to collect and repurpose rainwater.
New Commercial Skyline for Lahore
With plots already sold to local and international investors, the CBD is set to house Pakistan’s first true skyline. The district is equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure, including state-of-the-art utilities for water, gas, electricity, telephone lines, and public amenities.
“This road is the central boulevard of the country’s most modern commercial district,” said CBD Punjab CEO Imran Amin.
The government envisions the CBD not only as a commercial powerhouse but also as a new hub for IT and digital services—positioning Lahore as a magnet for regional and global investment in the years ahead.