A road in Lahore that will generate electricity!

Authorities in Lahore have completed construction of what they are calling Pakistan’s most advanced urban roadway, located in the heart of the city, officials announced on Monday.

Dubbed Route 47, the 4.5-kilometre corridor runs through Kalma Chowk and connects key arteries of the city, including Ferozepur Road, Gulberg Main Boulevard, Walton Road, and the Lahore Ring Road.

The project, overseen by the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (CBD Punjab), was built at an estimated cost of Rs9 billion (approximately USD 32 million).

“This road is the main boulevard of the country’s most modern commercial district,” said CBD Punjab CEO Imran Amin. “It has been developed to international standards and includes a range of smart features.”

Among its standout features, Route 47 includes a nearly one-kilometre flyover, dedicated pedestrian and bicycle lanes, and a stormwater drainage system designed to prevent flooding during monsoon rains—an issue that has long plagued Lahore’s infrastructure.

The road’s sidewalks are being outfitted with solar panels, which will not only provide shade but also generate up to one megawatt of electricity, making it one of the first energy-producing smart roads in the country.

Route 47 traverses the site of the former Walton Airport, a 300-acre area currently being transformed into Lahore’s Central Business District (CBD)—a flagship project aimed at driving vertical urban development and attracting business investment.

Officials say most of the infrastructure work in the district is now complete, including modern sewage systems, stormwater management, and two new parking plazas. Rainwater collected from the area will be directed through underground channels to an artificial lake, which is also nearing completion.

The government envisions the CBD as a future hub for commerce and information technology, positioning it as a key component of Lahore’s economic transformation.