A young mother, Sadia (24), and her infant daughter, Rida Fatima (10 months), died in July 2026 after falling into an uncovered sewer line near the Data Darbar expansion project site at Bhatti Chowk. The incident triggered severe public criticism over safety negligence. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took strong notice, firing the Lahore Deputy Commissioner and suspending officials from TEPA and WASA. A fact-finding committee was formed, and three project personnel (the manager, safety in-charge, and site in-charge) were arrested on manslaughter charges. The CM condemned the 'criminal negligence' and vowed justice for the victims.

A significant expansion and remodeling project for Data Darbar has commenced as part of the Lahore Development Programme. Key features include constructing a new underpass expected to handle 100,000 vehicles daily, widening Mohni and Bhati Chowk roads, acquiring eight kanals of land for landscaping, and adding ornamental street-lighting, signage, and an underground parking facility. The project also involves removing the historic bird market and creating a signal-free corridor linking the shrine to Lahore's ring road. The initiative is a joint effort by LDA (TEPA), C&W, NESPAK, and the Auqaf Department.