Workers laying rail track on OLMT project. PHOTO: NNI
LAHORE: Contractors have laid over 10-kilometre rail track on elevated viaduct for the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT). They have also been directed to complete another four-kilometre by end of February that will complete track between Dera Gujjran and Mahmood Booti.
This was said by Chief Minister’s Adviser and OLMT Steering Committee Chairperson Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan, while addressing project’s weekly progress review meeting on Wednesday. LDA Chief Engineer Asrar Saeed, Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (TEPA) Chief Engineer Saifur Rehman, senior officials of LESCO, WASA, PTCL, Sui Gas, traffic police, railways, Rescue 1122, civil defence and other officials were present.
He said development work near 11 historic sites was being run smoothly and all precautions advised by the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) were being fully complied to protect heritage sites.
He added construction of piles, pile caps and piers near Shalimar Garden, Gulabi Bagh, Budhu’s Tomb and Lakshmi Building had been completed.
“Installation of u-tub girders will also be initiated soon to complete elevated track for the train,” he said. Hassaan maintained that pile works had also been completed near the General Post Office, Supreme Court Registry and Saint Andrew’s Church.
National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) General Manager Salman Hafeez said that 84.9% civil work, while 42.6% electrical and mechanical work on the project had been completed.
Similarly, he added 77.4% development work on package-I (from Dera Gujjaran, Grand Trunk (GT) Road to Chouburji) and package-2 (from Choburji to Ali Town) had been finalised.
Hafeez elaborated that 92% work on Dera Gujjran Metro Station, 96% on Islam Park, 95% each on Salamatpura and Mehmood Booti and 91% on Pakistan Mint Station had been completed. He said all possible measures were being taken to complete all five stations during the current month.
The 27-kilometre OLMT project is estimated to cost over Rs165 billion, which is being funded through a loan by China’s Exim Bank. The project is part of the city metro network and when completed, it will connect Raiwind, Multan Road, Mcleod Road, Lahore Junction Railway Station and the Grand Trunk Road. It will be the first line of Lahore Metro and country’s first mass rapid transit train system.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 8th, 2018.
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