Hina Riaz
Poverty is like a punishment for a crime, which you have not committed. If you belong to a developing country, then you have to be penalised for it time and again.
In this land of the pure, similar situation is seen at bus stops and stations, where women, children and men keep waiting for a transport for hours, and even if they do get one; they hardly get a comfortable and safe ride. They have to suffer lots of discomfort due to less space in the vehicles, limited stations and high fares.
Luckily the situation is going to change now, as Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has vowed to replace this poor transport system with a modern and luxurious one.
The CM has transformed the dream of ‘good transportation for all’ into a reality by initiating the ‘Orange Line Metro Train Project’, which is another gift by the Punjab Government to people, after the Metro Bus. The project will improve and revolutionise the transport culture in Pakistan, since it is the first mass rapid transit train system in the country. With its completion, Lahore is set to become the 31st city in the world with a metro train service.
The Punjab government has launched the project with the cooperation of China, and will cost $1.6 billion, while the Chinese government has provided Rs.165.2 billion concessional loan for the project.
The project is the greatest gift by China, and will be another milestone in Pak-China friendship.
The transport system of Pakistan is not technologically advanced. People have to travel in smoke-emitting buses, broken rickshaws and vans. Shahbaz’s mission is to facilitate the people of Punjab in every sector. He has realised the transport problems of a common man, and has provided a solution in the form of Orange Line Metro Train Project.
The Project will facilitate the poverty-stricken people by providing them a dignified, safe and efficient ride. It will be cheap, time saving and comfortable. It will also help overcome the traffic congestion, and provide round the clock service.
The project will bring revolution in the transport sector for the underdeveloped areas, as no mega project has been launched in this area before.
The train’s track will be approximately 27.1 km long, which will run through the heart of Lahore, along Multan Road and GT Road.
There will be 26 stations on the route; 24 elevated and 02 underground. The project, which will initially serve 2,50,000 passengers on a single day, will later be serving 500,000 passengers per day, till 2025.
The project has been carefully planned and will be executed under the supervision of the CM
The CM has paid special attention to both the speed and standard of the train service. He has hired the best designers and engineers to complete the task as soon as possible.
In order to maintain international standards, the CM has sought help from China. The Chinese Railway (CR) and Norinco International will monitor infrastructure of the project. Apart from that, the CM has constituted special monitoring teams to keep check and balance. Above all, the CM, himself, is keeping a close eye on the project by visiting the construction sites and calling regular meetings.
The CM is greatly concerned about the safety of historical sites that lie on the course. 1.7 km stretch of the track will be underground precisely for the same purpose.
The CM has also ensured the safety of Saint Andrew’s Church despite the fact that it is not protected under the Punjab Special Premises Ordinance, 1985.
The project is clearly a project for the common man.
The Punjab Government aims to extend this project to other cities also.
The day is not far, when people will travel in air-conditioned trains of international standards, and feel proud of being Pakistani.