The Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) has announced plans to restore Lahore’s historic Nehru Park and bring the site back to its former grandeur. The park is located in the pre-partition Krishan Nagar area of the city and holds historical significance because of an important political event that took place there in 1929.
PHA Director General Ahmad Usman Javaid said the restoration project would combine horticultural and engineering work. The plan is aimed at improving the park’s appearance while also making it a more attractive and family-friendly public space.
Nehru Park marks the location where the Indian National Congress adopted the Purna Swaraj resolution on December 31, 1929, during its historic Lahore session. The resolution called for complete self-rule and a complete end to British rule in the Indian subcontinent.
Jawaharlal Nehru, who was serving as Congress president at the time, also raised the Indian flag at the site following the declaration. The historical connection has made the location an important part of Lahore’s pre-partition history.
According to Javaid, the horticulture wing will focus on improving the greenery at the park. Lush green grass and colourful seasonal flowers will be planted to improve the overall appearance of the site.
The engineering team will also introduce several new facilities. These include night lighting, seating benches and swings for children. The additions are intended to encourage families to visit the park and spend more time there.
PHA has already completed some work at the site. The authority has repaired the boundary wall and installed decorative floral planters both inside and outside the park. A cricket pavilion has also been installed as part of the improvement work.
Decorative fountains are also planned for the park. Officials believe the additional features will further enhance the appearance of the historic location while providing visitors with a more pleasant environment.
Javaid said Nehru Park is more than just a public recreational space because of its historical importance. He stressed that the authority has a responsibility to preserve the character of the site while transforming it into a vibrant green space for citizens.
The restoration of Nehru Park is part of a much larger plan by the authority. PHA intends to restore and renovate more than 800 smaller community parks under its jurisdiction across Lahore.
Students and civil society groups will also be involved in the restoration process. Their participation is expected to encourage greater public involvement in maintaining and protecting the city’s green spaces.
The authority is also working on modernising its tree-care system. Javaid said tree monitoring would be improved through geo-tagging, allowing officials to maintain better records and monitor trees more effectively.
A province-wide Geographic Information System is being developed to create a detailed inventory of urban trees. The system will allow trees to be mapped and tracked digitally while supporting conservation efforts.
Dedicated tree officers have also been appointed in several districts. Their responsibilities include inspecting trees, maintaining digital records, processing applications, supervising compensatory plantation and enforcing relevant regulations.
Separately, PHA plans to develop and rehabilitate parks in 11 newly added districts. The initiative is intended to improve green cover and enhance urban landscapes in these areas.
Officials said improving existing parks and creating new green spaces remain among the authority’s key priorities for the current financial year. The restoration of Nehru Park is therefore part of a broader effort to improve public parks, strengthen urban greenery and preserve important historic sites across Punjab.
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