Urban development: Govt urged to change Metro Train route

Students, artists stage protest near GPO

LAHORE:

Several students, artists and civil society activists on Thursday protested against the construction of Orange Line Metro Train close to the General Post Office (GPO).

The protesters said there were several heritage buildings within 200 feet of the train’s proposed route.

“They need to change the route to avoid damage to heritage sites,” said Maryam Hussain, a Lahore Bachao Tehreek member. She claimed that the plan violated the Antiquities Act, 1975, and the Special Premises Ordinance, 1985. She also said, “Tunnel technology should be used to ensure that heritage sites are not affected.” She said all information related to the project should be made public. “We have the right to know whether a study has been carried out regarding the project’s impact on heritage sites,” she said. Activist Imrana Tiwana said no accountability mechanism was available with regard to the train route. “The route has been changed four times since a public hearing was held,” she said. “The city of Lahore is like a museum. It requires protection. Heritage sites are an important part of our culture. These need to be preserved,” she said.

“Turkey should serve as a role model regard,” said Nazish Ataullah, former National College of Arts principal. “In Istanbul, the authorities have introduced an effective public transport system that ensures that heritage sites are protected.”

She said damage to the GPO building in the recent earthquake necessitated a study regarding the impact of proposed construction activity.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2015.