Orange Line Package-2: LDA told to give work permit to new contractor

Court case may be settled in the next hearing on November 8


Imran Adnan November 02, 2016
Ahmad informed the participants of the meeting that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was inclined on giving concession in property tax to shops and businesses situated along the metro train route which had been affected. PHOTO: APP

LAHORE: The Punjab government has directed the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to release the work order to ZKB Reliable JV, the new contractor of the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) project, by November 10, The Express Tribune learnt on Wednesday.

The OLMT Steering Committee Chairman Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan said though the LDA had completed the tendering process for the remaining work of the metro train package-2 (from Chauburji to Ali Town), the matter was sub judice as the previous contractor had challenged the cancellations of the original contract in a court of law.

During Wednesday’s hearing, he disclosed, the court had directed parties to invoke an arbitration clause of the contract to settle disputes related to procession of machinery and pre-casting yard. The court did not bar the government or LDA to halt contract awarding process for the OLMT package-2. “The court has positive view on government’s stance and it is expected that the case will be settled in the next hearing on November 8,” he said.

“The government wants to restore development work at the earliest, hence, the LDA has been directed to issue the work order by November 10 so the new contractor can mobilise resources for the early completion of the project,” he maintained.

Ahmad informed the participants of the meeting that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was inclined on giving concession in property tax to shops and businesses situated along the metro train route which had been affected.

He said the remaining work on package-2 of the project from Chauburji to Ali Town had been awarded to a new contractor. The investment worth Rs11.39 billion is expected to be completed within a period of 150 days. He directed all the relevant departments to team up with the new contractor for meeting the target set for the timely completion of the package.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2016.

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