Metro train project: Govt reassures UNESCO over Shalamar Gardens

UNESCO had sought explanation from govt for construction work near the gardens

LAHORE: The government has assured the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) that the construction of the Orange Line Metro Train project will not have any impact on the Shalamar Gardens.

The Shalamar Gardens are part of the UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites. On October 29, the organisation had sought an explanation from the Punjab government regarding construction of the project.



The letter had asked the government to halt work near the site until necessary material had been submitted to the UNESCO’s advisory body. It had reminded the government of paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention that stated that parties had to inform the World Heritage Committee before commencing work on or near a world heritage site.

The government has now written to the UNESCO that Shalamar Gardens are part of the country’s national heritage and it will ensure its protection.

“The construction of an elevated track for the line will take place 29 feet away from the gardens. Increasing this distance is not possible since that will lead to more land acquisition. This will lead to more people losing their homes,” the letter states.



The letter states that to reduce vibrations, the speed of the train in the area will be brought down to 42 kilometres per hour for 48km/h. “This will ensure that the gardens are not impacted. According to German standards, vibrations from the train cannot cause any harm to the monument or its foundation. The Orange Line design is based on the theoretical 2D-FEA model of pier-ground system of light rail train viaduct system in which ground-borne vibrations are negligible beyond 10 to 12 metres from the main pier of the rail,” the letter states.

The letter states that the constructed elevated track will be slim and would not create a significant visual barrier for the site. “The height of the track will be 12 metres which will improve the view of the monument. It will provide a visual tour to the surrounding communities,” the letter states.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2015.