Govt prepares to welcome first metro train

Chinese contractors have issued schedule to dispatch remaining 26 trains after arrival of the first one

LAHORE: The government of Punjab has decided to celebrate the arrival of Pakistan’s first metro train by hosting a ceremony at the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) depot in Dera Gujjran on October 7.

The train has now reached Karachi and after customs clearance and other formalities, it is expected to reach Lahore during next week. Punjab Chief Minister’s Advisor and OLMT Steering Committee Chairman Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan says that it is a very proud movement for Pakistan, especially for the province, that the country is going to join the league of natiions where an efficient mass transit system is available for citizens.



After the arrival of its first train in Pakistan, Chinese contractors have also issued schedule for dispatching the remaining 26 trains, he adds. While speaking in the project’s weekly progress review meeting, Hassaan says that as per the agreed schedule, rolling stock for remaining trains would reach Pakistan by end-2017.

These trains would be parked at depot area in Dera Gujjran where construction of train sheds is underway. Fifteen tracks are also laid in the parking areas on which Chinese engineers are completing electrical and mechanical works, he highlights. A team of Chinese engineers is already here to ensure safe handling, transportation and parking of the first train, he adds.

Meeting participants were informed that four kilometres of rail track has been laid between Dera Gujjran and Shalimar Gardens. Chinese engineers have also started electrical and mechanical works at 24 metro stations out of the total 26. Escalators have also been installed at first the five stations, including Dera Gujjran, Islam Park, Salamatpura, Mahmood Booti and Pakistan Mint, while installation of electric escalators is underway at remaining stations.

Orange Line moving along: 5 stations to be handed to contractors

Meeting participants were told that a total 74.5% of civil works of the metro train has been completed so far. Progress on package-I (from Dera Gujjran, GT Road to Chouburji) is 86.2%. On package-II (from Choburji to Ali Town), the progress is 53.5% and 79.3% at the depot near Dera Gujran. Finally, Stabling Yard near Ali Town is 75.3% complete. An overall 18% of the electrical and mechanical work of the project has also been completed.

OLMT committee chairman says development works of the metro train are being completed on a fast-track basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2017.