CM Shahbaz celebrates arrival of Orange-Line Metro in Lahore
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Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday inaugurated the first set of bogies that recently arrived from China to be used in Lahore's Orange-Line Metro project, RadioPakistan reported.
Speaking during a ceremony marked to celebrate the arrival of Orange-Line Metro, Sharif said the project upon its completion will provide modern, safe, swift and affordable transport facilities to the commuters.
Nearly 0.25 million commuters will travel via Orange Line train daily in the provincial metropolis, he added.
Also read: Two officers held for corruption in Orange Line project
The chief minister said that a distance of 27 kilometres from Darogawala to Thokar Niaz Baig will be covered in just 45 minutes.
Sharif pointed out that despite conspiracies being hatched against the development projects, the journey of progress and prosperity will continue successfully.
The scope of civil works on the Orange Line project involves the construction of a 27.1-kilometre metro train corridor, including 25.4km of elevated U-shaped viaducts and 1.72km underground sections, 24 elevated and two underground stations, depots, stabling yards, etc.
The train, with five coaches, an energy-saving air-conditioning system and systems configured to handle unstable voltage, has been produced by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co, Ltd, China.
As for the financing of the Orange-Line Metro project is concerned, a major chunk, Rs150 billion of the Rs165 billion project, will be provided by the Chinese government to Punjab under a soft-loan agreement, outside the financial realm of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
In May 2016, the first tranche of the payment totalling around Rs33 billion was released by The Exim Bank of China.
Earlier in April, the Supreme Court was expected to deliver a decisive verdict on a petition, filed by Kamil Khan Mumtaz, regarding damage caused to heritage sites due to the construction of the Orange-Line train.
However, the SC reserved its judgement and asked the Punjab government to file a comprehensive report to the court, detailing measures it would take to address the petitioner's and civil society's concerns over the matter.
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On DawnNews
Comments (82) Closed
Oct 08, 2017 06:01pm
is this really an event to celebrate. Tomorrow you will celebrate arrival of drivers etc.
Please spend public money for their benefits. Not to promote yourself.
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Oct 08, 2017 06:02pm
Trying morale boosting of people of Lahore who have fed up with construction work around the city.
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Oct 08, 2017 06:07pm
Elevated Metro Line bridge is a real eyesore, a lump of concrete running through the middle of the city in a straight line! It has ruined the city. Never anything like that happens in any major cities.
A dedicated bus lane on the road along with frequent buses is what you get in European cities. This could have been achieved at fraction of the cost with the rest going on health and education!
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Oct 08, 2017 06:12pm
Congratulations Lahore, finally Pakistan will witness in the heart of Pakistan a world class means of transportation.
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Oct 08, 2017 06:12pm
What is the use of 27km distance recovery in 45mins.totally drama of another corruption of N league.
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Oct 08, 2017 06:16pm
CM Lahore. Metro in Lahore, roads in Lahore, airport in Lahore, parks in Lahore, university in Lahore, everything in only only Lahore. This stupid guy is making joke of rest of Punjab.
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Oct 08, 2017 06:22pm
This project will prove to be one of many blunders the PMLN has committed. Close Rs 200 Billion project, and it's a loan, spent on just 27km stretch! Can you imagine what one can do with Rs 200 billion in Health & Education sector?! How can Pakistan move forward without an educated human resource? No safe drinking water, no free private schools or universities - PMLN is only concerned with mega projects for one reason i.e. COMMISSION. Can easily overcome traffic woes in Lahore with way less budget - by controlling traffic efficiently (traffic wardens are extremely incompetent), widen roads, buy environmentally friendly buses on all routes. No vision at all, only corruption opportunities is what this Govt looks for!
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Oct 08, 2017 06:23pm
Had there been transparency where public could judge for itself beyond big billboards and pompous claims reality of financing, safety of heritage, environmental effects, long term viability of such a grand project, there would be no CONSPIRACIES.
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Oct 08, 2017 06:26pm
Now I can travel daily in metro. I am feeling very excited.
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Oct 08, 2017 06:26pm
I ask: what about education, hospitals, schools, electricity, clean water and job opportunities for all? Yes, we need good transport and infrastructure, but this is secondary, as schools, hospitals, health care, security and jobs are far more important than trains and roads. Mr Shabaz Sharif your priorities are wrong and do not reflect people's needs.
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Oct 08, 2017 06:46pm
Punjab government will provide Rs 130 subsidy on every ticket of every passenger that travels on this train. Where will this subsidy come from?
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Oct 08, 2017 06:51pm
those who appreciate metro in Delhi, criticise in Lahore.
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Oct 08, 2017 06:52pm
The petitioners must watch national geographic megastructures, mega cities and they will get the answer probably in the 1800s London had its underground train track and same timeline for US. We r on the right track.
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Oct 08, 2017 07:01pm
Good work CM
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Oct 08, 2017 07:02pm
Inauguration of boogie? Civil work may take 4 years to complete till then they will rust?
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Oct 08, 2017 07:06pm
There are not enough schools or hospitals in Punjab but CM celebrates Metro.
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Oct 08, 2017 07:19pm
What measures have been taken by the "movers and shakers" in Raiwind to address the concerns of the people of the city in general and various engineering societies including civil society of the country in particular, pertaining to the extensive structural, material and asset damages caused due to the orange line metro transit system in Lahore-Islamic Republic of Pakistan?
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Oct 08, 2017 07:35pm
Good job Mr NS . Brining these changes in communication for common person life is remarakable. First motorway than mass transit with all opposition you are man of vision. PPP worked for democracy and ML ok for development and people did nothing but complain and increase popluation.
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Oct 08, 2017 08:11pm
Well done CM, go Pakistan shine hard!
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Oct 08, 2017 08:27pm
A great job indeed
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Oct 08, 2017 08:37pm
Unfounded fears of damage to the historic heritage or chaotic traffic hazards causing life threatening pollution and accidents?
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Oct 08, 2017 08:39pm
And what about the people of Sindh??? Are we not part of Pakistan ??? Why all development for Punjab
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Oct 08, 2017 08:49pm
Why Lahore and other cities of Punjab only? Karachi has been neglected by
PMLN for years. It is Karachi which needs these coloured lines. Where does Punjab
gets all the funds for these projects? Will our P.M. explain this.
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Oct 08, 2017 09:03pm
Excellent effort but such projects should be initiated in other parts of punjab also not just Lahore.
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Oct 08, 2017 09:06pm
Great work. No one can deny that Shahbaz Sharif has improved all the cities in Punjab.
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Oct 08, 2017 09:09pm
Good job. Karachi needed it before any city else.
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Oct 08, 2017 09:15pm
This project shows the myopic vision and lack of technical know-how of leaders! Cost-benefit ratios?
Why all the technology (in form of end products) have to be imported from China? Why not focus on of technology transfer? The railways workshop in Mughalpura could have been updated to produce the required bogies for the project! This is a missed opportunity that could have been used to revamp Mughalpura railway workshop and provide jobs for local youth!
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Oct 08, 2017 10:08pm
We must appreciate Punjab Government for that, and anyone else who brings in and implements, infrastructure components similar to developed cities of the world. Karachi awaits such projects although some work has been initiated on the reincarnation of circular railway.
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Oct 08, 2017 10:12pm
Pakistan should start manufacturing these metro wagons locally. It's simple technology. It's seems that entire capex expenditure under CPEC is being imported from China. Which will be dearer for Pakistan in future. Local industry should be given priority in procurement.
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Oct 08, 2017 10:13pm
Karachi also deserves the sub urban train.
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Oct 08, 2017 10:15pm
Congratulations
All the big cities need these kind of long term commute solutions to ever increasing population negligence in this part can result in th congestion we are facing in Karachi
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Oct 08, 2017 10:18pm
wow..congratulations pakistan.
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Oct 08, 2017 10:39pm
Is it electric train?
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Oct 08, 2017 10:39pm
We don't need trains. We need a system where we don't have to give bribery to get our constitutional rights. You will be rejected in 2018 because you sold coffins in model town. You can't lure us anymore.
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Oct 08, 2017 10:50pm
Good initiative but keep subsidy to minimum to ensure that it do not become a financial burden. Efficiency will be key to longterm survivability.
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Oct 08, 2017 11:04pm
It was not needed,poor people need basic necessities of life,better income,treatment,justice,education,respect,electricity at cheap rates,clean water etc.Pakistan need dams,power generation ,and corruption free intstitutions,politicians,officers .
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Oct 08, 2017 11:21pm
It will help reduce the burden of traffic on the roads and will lead way to other metro train projects in the country. Pakistan population which is on the rise needs transportation projects in urban cities.
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Oct 08, 2017 11:26pm
You need clean water first. Priorities
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Oct 08, 2017 11:27pm
Congratulations on achieving this milestone, now focus should be on health, education and new employment opportunities, for elected Punjab Government.
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Oct 08, 2017 11:33pm
All C-Grade Chinese items in Pakistan. This tells how good we are doing.
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Oct 08, 2017 11:38pm
The Pakistan railway is in worst condition and billions of rupees spent on useless things. Actually the priority is kickbacks.
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Oct 08, 2017 11:45pm
A good project for improving transportation system in Pakistan. However, countries adopt these luxurious systems when all basic needs like water, food, health and education is provided to the common people. Our country is still far behind in providing basic necessities of life, therefore , it was better to spend these amounts on social sector instead of bringing costly transport facilities.
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Oct 08, 2017 11:47pm
I'm from KPK, living abroad. My heart bleeds when I see the inauguration of all new infrastructure projects on Punjab soil every other day by their CM, not because Punjabis are being facilitated but due to the reason that we don't see anything except for dharnas and abusing the Federal gov by the CM of KP.
On my very recent and detailed visit to Peshawar after quite a while, apprised me of the fact that PTI has wasted the golden 4 years time.
No infrastructure projects I could witness except for a Hayatabad Phase 3 chowk flyover (which too is a project full of mistakes).
I assume they've lost the trust of the KP-ites..
I'm feeling bad to say that I wish Shahbaz Sharif becomes nxt CM of my neglected province.
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Oct 09, 2017 12:19am
Do not load country by foreign and local debt by spending unproductive projects just to catch votes.Spend money on quality education,science research and establishing engineering industry and information technology. Pay attention to conditions leading to default in loan payment, rising cost of living and unemployment.
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Oct 09, 2017 12:35am
Wonderful news. One such metro should be erected in Karachi as well through Sind government efforts to secure foreign loan.
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Oct 09, 2017 12:36am
Is this the first u have? Seriously
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Oct 09, 2017 12:45am
Congratulation bhailog....
Love & peace from India
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Oct 09, 2017 01:13am
Awesomeness galore in Punjab!
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Oct 09, 2017 01:16am
How is this a gift?
The money fir this project came in the form of a loan which has to be repaid.
This isn't like the Hubaiyda paper mills where the money gets written off.
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Oct 09, 2017 01:38am
Show off. Unecessary ceremony? It should be completion if project ceremony. So ceremony for every coach over years.
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Oct 09, 2017 01:57am
Why CM is celebrating? Did he financed Metro project from is personal money? He has done job and he is getting paid every month.
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Oct 09, 2017 02:04am
At least he is doing something
What PPP did in Sindh its disaster
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Oct 09, 2017 02:05am
27 km in 45 minutes,not great but who will use this when there is no employment, mo education,no health or wealth. Nations progress not by metro lines but by developing the people, their skills and education.
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Oct 09, 2017 02:05am
The sight of two armed guards in front of the train speaks volumes about the security situation in Pakistan. It is sad and shameful.
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Oct 09, 2017 02:06am
No point keep building meyro lines, pepple nerd jobs, education, health and justice.
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Oct 09, 2017 02:06am
Superb news! Better infra better foreign investment. Kudos to the Punjab Government.
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Oct 09, 2017 02:37am
Wah bahee
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Oct 09, 2017 02:57am
Waiting for comments like Oh but what about education - or clean water - or health - or jobs? Put everything on hold till each one of 210 Million Pakistanis have access to clean water, each one has a 7 digit salary and no-one is suffering from any disease. Till then we shouldn't construct highways, expand railways or highways or invest in anything which remotely looks 'modeern'
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Oct 09, 2017 02:58am
Shahbaz didn't do anything. Nothing to do with Shahbaz. He is taking credit of this.
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Oct 09, 2017 03:02am
Where is karachi in this sort of planning?
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Oct 09, 2017 03:20am
How much are each of these bogies cost n what is interest rate
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Oct 09, 2017 03:37am
For this project we sacrificed our hungary poor population. We need food safe future and education. Rest of things should be secondary.
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Oct 09, 2017 03:51am
"A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It's where the rich use public transportation." This is definitely a step in the right direction. Great job PML(N)!
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Oct 09, 2017 03:53am
Only red why no green?
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Oct 09, 2017 04:49am
We think, commission has now been delivered to him.
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Oct 09, 2017 05:48am
Good news for daily passengers.Get the infrastructure in place along with basic health secular educational system and promoting industries and agriculture. Pakistan has the natural resources . If the elected representatives are not delivering then the voters should engage with them and ensure that they deliver or boot them out subsequently.
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Oct 09, 2017 06:19am
Can the Punjab government make the details public as far as the actual cost versus the loan.
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Oct 09, 2017 06:50am
So the Punjab government spent 165 Billion Rupees on a train and a track that's only 25 Kilometers long? Could they have used the money to build a school and university, hired good professors with even half that money? That to me would have been money well spent. But than again, its the priorities of our governments that have forgotten about the progress, they much rather bring up motorways, buses and trains during elections to remind people how they made the country great, no electricity, no gas, no clean drinking water, no job growth,but great.
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Oct 09, 2017 06:56am
Keep moving ahead, CM Shahbaz .You are doing well. Just try to keep the cost these projects at the minimum without compromising the quality of the work and services.
All other provinces are looking to copy your success.
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Oct 09, 2017 07:16am
Orange line is good idea. But it is more important to reduce illiteracy. Why about 25% of children do not go to schools? Children growing up as illiterate adults, so with no employable skills. How those no education and no skills are supposed to find a job or support their families?
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Oct 09, 2017 07:29am
Chinese engine. I hope not work as a Chinese toys
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Oct 09, 2017 07:44am
This also through loans from China.
Chinese will drain you out on these loans.
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Oct 09, 2017 07:57am
Congratulations, Pakistan. This is a very good start.
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Oct 09, 2017 07:58am
This shall not only facilitate cost-effective movement but help in reducing pollution too.
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Oct 09, 2017 08:03am
Indore BRTS covers 30 km in 45 minutes. Despite being a BRT and not a metro train.
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Oct 09, 2017 08:18am
Good job.
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Oct 09, 2017 08:31am
@Salma ... and the million tress will provide the missing education and health care? Or maybe djbutt can educate the children in one of the tsunami dharnas!
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Oct 09, 2017 08:31am
Billions wasted for this piece of junk. People are dying without food and water.
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Oct 09, 2017 08:32am
@Cyma you should be asking that to the CM and elected officials of Sindh!
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Oct 09, 2017 09:21am
@Prateik No Karachi doesn't deserve trains. Karachi deserves proper city planning, better management, better facilities and better of everything since it houses so many people and is also our economy's hub.
And i don't live in Karachi but i know what you guys go through. Such projects must be initiated in all provinces and trickle down to all cities.
Peace.
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Oct 09, 2017 09:12pm
We should appreciate when someone does good job!
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Oct 10, 2017 10:11am
What is energy saving air conditioning?
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