After the successful completion of the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) project, Chinese contractors CR-NORINCO handed over the country’s first mass-transit train service to the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA) for launching commercial operations on October 25.
An announcement made by CR-NORINCO highlights the OLMT is the first officially launched urban mass-transit project under the CPEC framework for the ‘One Belt and One Road’ initiative of the Chinese government. The agreement for this project was signed in April 2015 in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking its great significance for both China and Pakistan.
CR-NORINCO as a joint venture between China State Railway Group (CR) and China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) undertook the OLMT project and assumed responsibility for its specific implementation.
The conceptual and detailed engineering and mechanical (E&M) work design of the OLMT project were completed by the China Railway Design Corporation, whereas soft loan was provided by the EXIM Bank of China.
The mainline stretches over 25.58 kilometres (km), including an elevated track of 23.8km and an elevated transition track of 0.71km, while a track of 1.07km has been built underground to protect Lahore’s historical sites. The route is served by 26 stations, including 24 elevated and two underground ones, with a stabling yard at its southern end at Ali Town and a rolling-stock depot at the northern end adjacent to Dera Gujran Station.
Compared to other projects of similar nature in other countries, Chinese contractors highlight, the OLMT has higher cost-performance efficiency and it fully implements the most advanced Chinese standards, technology and equipment. “It is the perfect blend of Chinese criteria as per Pakistan’s setting and is also a representation of the former’s advanced design and equipment manufacturing capabilities,” it says.
With the combined efforts of project teams from both the countries, CR-NORINCO has smoothly completed the project and in the interim employed and trained 2,000 Pakistani staff members.
Through this project, CR-NORINCO did not only play its role in spurring local employment and economic growth effectively but also actively fulfilled its social responsibilities by making significant donations to a local primary school and in the fight against Covid-19. CR-NORINCO organised all the Chinese members of the project to donate masks to the Mayo Hospital, a press statement issued by Chinese contractors adds.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2020.
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