Orange line metro train gets a go signal

World Heritage Committee neither objected on the present alignment nor asked to alter the track

LAHORE: Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Steering Committee Chairman Khawaja Ahmad Hassan has said that the World Heritage Committee, in its 41th session held in Poland, has scrapped the proposal for putting Shalimar Garden, Lahore, on the danger list as a result of effective presentation and relevant reports presented by Pakistan at the forum.

In a statement on Sunday, Hassan said that apart from acknowledging Pakistan’s stance to conserve historical sites, the World Heritage Committee has neither objected on the present alignment nor asked to alter the track. This reflected the confidence of the world body in our government which would go a long way to complete the project at the earliest, he said.

He said that after thoroughly examining the technical data, heritage impact assessment report, vibration report and other relevant research studies on the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project, the world body has discarded the proposed draft decision forwarded by the critics of the project. It has altogether deleted nine out of 13 points of the draft decisions while two points have been modified in favor of Pakistan, he added.

He said that Pakistan effectively presented its case with substantial evidence; therefore, none of the 21 members of the committee opposed the country’s stance. Moreover, international archaeological experts have overwhelmingly opined that the Orange Line Project would not harm the historical buildings, he added.

Hassan also said that this was an expression of confidence of international community over the policies of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2017.