After a five-year construction, Pakistan’s first-ever metro line started its service for commercial operation on Sunday, 25th October 2020 in Lahore.
By Snata Priyadarshini
The metro project is an early-harvest project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. According to Sadar Usman Buzdar, chief minister of Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, the Orange Line will further strengthen the bilateral traditional friendship between the two countries. It will also bring in new opportunities for locals heading to a better life
The Orange Line links Dera Gujran and Ali Town area along a 27-km route. The line passes almost all major areas of the populated city of Lahore. It has 26 stations including 24 elevated stops and two underground stations.
A total of 27 sets of energy-saving electric trains are deployed. Each train comprises five fully air-conditioned wagons. It has an operating speed of 80 km per hour, which will provide a secure, comfortable, and economical traveling facility to 250000 passengers daily.
The Metro Line Will Help In Saving The Commute Time
The Orange Line adopts Chinese technology, standards, and equipment. It is for the first time that the whole chain of China’s metro train industry, including manufacturing, designing, construction, operation, and maintenance, was exported to a country.
The train will cover from the first station to the last one in just 45 minutes. It has a capacity of 250,000 passengers per day. The train will not only save the commute time but also will be a great support in cutting down the smog created by the vehicles on road.
The project will also facilitate the urbanization of the historical city. It will play a driving role in the city’s development, creating employment and boosting green GDP.
The Orange Line created over 7000 jobs for locals of the city during its construction. It currently employs around 1000 Pakistanis.
There will be more requirements later for its operation and maintenance in a consortium comprising two Chinese companies Norinco International and Guangzhou Metro Group and a Pakistani partner of Daewoo Pakistan Express Bus Service.
As a major transportation project under CPEC, the Orange Line also serves a milestone of CPEC progress.
Pakistan is suffering an acute energy shortfall that has disrupted domestic life and industries. But CPEC turned the table around and set some records straight by setting big powerhouses in a very short time. This eased the domestic life from urban to rural areas.
CPEC gives Pakistan a new road for development. It gives hope with solid financial and technical support to the country for development on modern footings.
Originally published at Fox exclusive