OLMT set for package-II trial run

Steering committee chairman says all 26 stations will be connected over next month

LAHORE: After the successful trial run of package-1 (from Dera Gujjran to Chaburji), the government has started the test run of the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) package-2 (from Chaburji to Ali Town) on Wednesday.

Punjab Chief Minister’s Advisor and the OLMT Steering Committee Chairman Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan inaugurated trail run of the metro train package-2. Hassaan underlined that despite hurdles and delaying tactics, the metro train project has entered in its completion phase. “It is the success and commitment of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif who always maintains his tradition of keeping promises,” he maintained.

He highlighted that out of a total 26 metro train stations, the rail track has been laid between 20 stations. The remaining stations will be connected over the next month to complete the 27 kilometre track. He said the grey structure of all 24 overhead stations and one underground station have been completed.

Hassaan pointed out that out of total 13.7 kilometer length of package-1, rail track has been laid on a 10.9 kilometer area. Similarly, rail track has been laid on nine kilometer area of package-2 which has total length of 13.4 kilometer. So far, rail track has been laid on a 20 kilometre area out of a total 27 kilometres, he added.



Giving the progress report on the mega project, Hassaan highlighted that 73 and 65 escalators have been installed in package-1 and package-2 respectively, and only 19 are awaiting installation. Similarly, most passenger lifts have also been installed. Overall, 89% development works have been completed, including 72% electrical and mechanical works.

Provincial minister Rana Mashood Khan, MPAs Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmad, Afzal Khokhar, Mian Marghoob Ahmad, Saiful Malook Khokhar, Lahore Division Commissioner Abdullah Khan Sumbal, Lord Mayor Mubasher Javed, Lahore Development Authority Director General Shakeel Ahmad, NESPAK General Manager Salman Hafeez and chairmen of various union councils were present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2018.