Lahore Canal

Lahore Canal لاہور نہر
A view of the Lahore Canal taken opposite from the Punjab University.
Specifications
Length	51 miles (82 km)
Status	Open
History
Construction began	1861
Geography
Start point	BRB canal, few yards away from the Khaira Village
End point	Raiwind Road
Branch of	Bambawali Ravi-Bedian (BRB) Canal

Lahore Canal (Urdu/Punjabi: لاہور نہر) begins at the Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian (BRB) Canal that runs through the east of the city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The 37 miles (60 km) long waterway was initially built by the Mughals. It was then upgraded by the British in 1861, and further advanced by Bashir Ahmed Construction Company in 1976. It is an important part of the city's cultural heritage.

The canal, aside from its importance in irrigation purposes, forms the centre of a unique linear park that serves as one of the longest public green belts and popular recreational destination spots. The average depth of the Canal is 5 feet (1.5 m) and it is bounded by roads on either side called the Canal Bank Road. On local and national festivals, the canal is illuminated with lights and decor.

The Bambawali Ravi-Bedian (BRB) Canal at the east of the city of Lahore was already constructed in Mughal Era of the Indian Subcontinent, however, during the British Raj, the British sliced the Bambawali Ravi-Bedian (BRB) Canal and extended it on the west side (city of Lahore) till the town of Raiwind, located in south of Lahore.

The idea to extend the canal may have possibly emerged because an irrigation system was felt necessary after a disastrous famine hit the Subcontinent in 1837-38 in which nearly ten million (one crore) rupees was spent on relief works, resulting in considerable loss of revenue to the British East India Company.

It starts from BRB canal, few yards away from the Khaira Village, dividing the old neighborhoods of Lahore (on the west-side of the Canal) from the trendy areas of the privileged rich (on the east side of the Canal). Metrobus (Lahore) also crosses it through a flyover on the way. Muslim Town Flyover is also present over the canal. After crossing the Thokar Niaz Baig it turns left and moves parallel to the Raiwind road. Flowing between the main highways, the canal also serves as the chief artery of the city.