OLMT all set for maiden run

The Lahore Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) is all set to open doors for passengers on October 25. Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has approved a flat fare of Rs40 for ride on the country’s first metro train service.

Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA) General Manager Operations Syed Uzair Shah told The Express Tribune that as per the chief minister’s directions the authority is all set to launch commercial operations on October 25. The final testing of all integrated systems by Chinese contractors and operators is underway, which will continue till October 24.

It is the first rail transit project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The OLMT project has been completed with Chinese technology, standards and expertise, except the civil structure which has been built by local engineering companies to slash the project cost. The project has also generated around 2,000 jobs of skilled and unskilled workers, including 40 new posts in the PMTA and the rest with private contractors.

A Chinese-led consortium of Guangzhou Metro Group, Norinco International and Daewoo Pakistan Express Bus Service will run commercial operations of the project for an eight-year term.

The trains will run on electricity, for which the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has installed special sub-stations. An official of the power utility company indicated that the project is expected to consume around Rs25 million worth of electricity per day or Rs750 million per month. However, a major portion of operational expenditures will be subsidised by the govern ment as the project is aimed to provide a reliable public transport facility to around 250,000 commuters daily.

Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht, in a recent media interaction, highlighted that the government has allocated Rs9 billion for the OLMT project in the budget, out of which Rs4 billion has been earmarked for subsidy and the rest for payment of mark-up, as the project has been funded through soft loan from China.

During the course of construction and development, the project faced several setbacks, including the coronavirus pandemic. Both Chinese and Pakistani contractors were excited to initiate commercial operation when the novel coronavirus disease erupted in Wuhan, China and entangled the entire world. The pandemic spread like wildfire and forced governments to impose travel restrictions across the globe. Entry and movement of Chinese engineers and workers remained restricted for around three months, delaying the entire launch process of the OLMT project.

Later, Chinese contractors CR-Norimco announced successful completion of electrical and mechanical works following acceptance by the PMTA and Nespak in July.

The OLMT is part of the city metro network. The construction work started on October 25, 2015. The PML-N government had aimed to complete the project before the 2018 general elections but it failed to achieve the target owing to prolonged litigation and stay orders.

The project has a total length of 27.12 kilometres. Out of it, 25.4km track is elevated, while 1.72km track has been put underground to protect historical places. The metro train has 26 stations, including 24 at the height of 12 metres and two underground. The number of trains is 27, each having five bogies that are 20 metres long with 60 seats. Separate seats will be allocated for women, senior citizens and persons with special needs. A public address system has been installed for the convenience of the passengers. The doors of the electric train are fully automatic and doors are also installed at the platforms to ensure double safety of the passengers.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2020.