PHOTO: FILE
Another two were on their way from China to Karachi via ship, while four more sets had been transported to the port of Shanghai for onward dispatch to Pakistan. A total of 27 train sets were being imported for the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train.
Punjab Chief Minister’s Advisor and OLMT Steering Committee Chairman Khawaja Ahmad Hassan revealed this while chairing the weekly progress review meeting on Wednesday.
First Orange Line Metro train rolls out
The meeting was told that civil works on all the available areas along Package-I from Dera Gujjran to Chauburji had been completed. However, construction was yet to be resumed at spots which were affected by court restraining orders.
“About one-fourth of the work for laying track along Package-I and the depot had been completed, while more than 80% of construction had been completed on 12 out of the 13 stations along this package,” he added.
The meeting was informed that more than 77% of the civil works and 29% electrical and mechanical works had been completed. This included construction of a bridge on Lahore Ring Road where laying of track for the train was in progress.
NESPAK General Manager Salman Hafeez informed the meeting that progress on Package-I from Dera Gujjaran and GT Road to Chouburji was 87.2% complete. As far as Package-II from Chouburji to Ali Town was concerned, 60.3% of the work was complete, while progress at the depot near Dera Gujran was 82.1%. Finally, 80% of the work at the stabling yard near Ali Town was complete.
Construction of a 185-meter-long bridge on railway tracks near parachute colony was in its final stages and was expected to finish by the end of the month, he said. Diesel turning locomotive had also been imported from China to use in case of emergency and pulling trains to the depot in case of a breakdown, he added. These locomotives had been parked in a depot at Dera Gujjran, he said.
Delay in Orange Line project ‘to result in huge losses’
The meeting was informed that pace of work on Package–II had improved. “So far, 588 out of the 806 U-Tub girders required for the construction of viaduct have been casted, while 453 of the structures have been launched, he said. “More than 92% of the work to launch transoms for supporting U-Tub girders had been completed,” he added. He stated the restoration of roads was also being carried out in this package and 60% of them had been rehabilitated.
Hassan said the visiting four-member delegation from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank highly appreciated the quality of work being executed on this project. The delegation termed the project as a showcase of Pak-China friendship.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2017.
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