Orange Line train: ‘Use tunnel technology to preserve heritage buildings’

Activists say development works should not be at the cost of heritage


Our Correspondent November 02, 2015
Activists say development works should not be at the cost of heritage. PHOTO: EXPRESS

LAHORE:


“Build the Train and Preserve the Heritage” (train bhi banao, virsa bhi bachao) was the slogan chanted by protesters at a demonstration in front of the Chauburji monument on Monday.


The activists said they had gathered at the monument to protest the procedures employed in the construction of the track for Orange Line Metro Train near the historic site. They said construction work near the monument was in violation of the law and demanded that the government drop the idea of constructing an elevated track in the proximity of the monument.

“We want the government to use tunnel technology proposed in the original feasibility study for the project,” said Fauzia Qureshi, a former principal of the National College of Arts.



She said an elevated track would not just obscure the view of the monument. She said vibrations from the train would damage the monument over the years. She suggested that digging work underway at the site might have already damaged the foundations of the building. Qureshi said tunnel technology was suitable for construction of such projects in the proximity of heritage or densely populated sites. She said the method should also be used for construction near other historic sites along the route. Shalamar Gardens and the General Post Office are two such buildings.

“The-dig-and-cover method is outdated. The government is not using tunnel technology because that will take longer and not allow it to use the project to gain publicity,”

Activist Imrana Tiwana stressed that the construction violated the Antiquities Act of 1975. She said the law stated that no construction work could be carried out within 200 feet of a heritage site.

Actor Omair Rana said the Chauburji monument was an important. He said development could be attained without causing damage to the city’s heritage. “I believe Lahoris are not the kind of people who like to erect building on the graves of their ancestors,” he said.

Activist Tamkinet Karim said she was not opposed to development works but she was against the manner in which some of the projects were carried out. “I appeal the government to reconsider the project plan and use tunnel technology to build the track in the vicinity of the site,” he said.

The Lahore Development Authority has approved construction of an elevated track for the Orange Line train near the Chauburji Monument. Work had started last month but was suspended when a stay order was issued by a court hearing petitions against acquisition of land for the project.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2015.

COMMENTS (2)

Shaikh | 8 years ago | Reply It will not only take longer it will also increase the cost of the project. Govt has already assured that no historical site is being damaged.
Ajaz Anwar, Ph.D. Islamic Architecture. | 8 years ago | Reply It way back in 1999 that they pulled down half of the waterworks of SHALAMAR for road widening. In our appeal to Unesco, the then director Ms Taniguchi came all the way from Paris and scolded the Archaeology staff for the negligence. The remaining part survived. They built underground train system in New Delhi and Old one successfully. We could learn from their experience. The present rulers have no respect for flora and fauna and heritage sites.They want to build catchy projects with greater visibility in short time for the next elections. TUNNEL TECHNOLOGY is the need of hour.
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