The construction of the $617.28m Lahore Elevated Expressway in Pakistan has been dropped from the financial year 2009-10 due to a shortage of funds.

The works and communication department informed the Punjab government that due to increased rates of construction materials the project cost had mounted from $370.6m to $617.28m.

The department also informed the government that on-going road infrastructure development projects, particularly Ring Road which is already underway, will be disturbed if the expressway is funded.

The 16km expressway would have connected Kot Lakhpat and Niazi Chowk via Kalma Chowk, Qurtaba Chowk, Chauburji and Data Darbar.

The four-lane overhead expressway also included one lane reserved for emergencies.

The Lahore Elevated Expressway was planned for improving the vehicle movement and for easing the traffic on the north-south axes of the city in 2008.

The task to prepare a feasibility report and outline design of the project within three to four months was assigned to the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK).