Last week I experienced Lahore Orange Line Metro Train, the country’s first electricity-run mass transit project was jointly inaugurated in Pakistan and China by pressing the button, it was really interesting and valuable journey I enjoyed it a lot. Few effects which I had noticed there are discussed in the next paragraphs.
Under the CPEC, Orange Line Metro Train has been affective addition for providing international standard transport facilities to the citizens. We are expecting that this will not only help strengthen urban development but also become a factor in the GDP growth.
Present government has formulated a new political trend through completion of this project and did not let project falling victim to politically differences as happened in the past governments. It was not such an easy to complete and execute, people wait a lot for this project to become functional but also faced weighty sacrifices during its completion process e.g. Healthy light failure, water failure, additional time consumption to reach their destinations and above all many people scarified their living lands, but government fulfilled the compensation for the destroyed infrastructure.
But, rather all these issues at the end of the day we are able to enjoy this project’s shining vibes. Many people are enjoying its travel since route connects number of residential and business areas.
Brief Introduction about this project:
Ø Its total track is 27.1Km
Ø Its route is from Ali Town to Dera Gujran
Ø Total stations are 26 with 24 elevated stations and 2 undergrounds (Anarkali & GPO).
Ø A depot is located at Dera Gujran northern end & second one at Ali Town at the southern end.
Ø The one way fare is Rs.40 end to end travel
Ø Travelling time of full route is approximately 45 minutes.
Ø Expected daily basis passengers capacity is 245,000
Ø For running train, the government will have to pay Rs12 billion subsidy per annum.
Ø Orange Line trains are each composed of five wagons, automated and driverless
Ø The maximum speed of the trains is 80 km/h (50 mph).
Ø The system required approximately 20 MWs of electricity to power the trains the system’s stations.
Ø 80 MWs of electricity have been secured for the project’s operations from the Lahore Electric Supply Company.
Ø The system has a back-up unit in case of power failure, while a third emergency system also available to if both power sources fail
Ø Two high-voltage electrical substations built for the line – one near UET Station, and the other at Shahnoor Station.
Ø The project also included 16 traction substations
As we look in the past, the community held a series of protest, terming the projects damaging for a number of heritage sites, including Shalimar Garden and Choburji. More than 600 trees had to be cut to make way for the route. Government has made commitment for its transparency, which has been ensured in the trending of fruitful and maintenance work.
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People living around this area significantly are very enthusiastic and valued because of this projects which is benefiting them in different lines:
· Very easy to reach the station by deployment of escalators
· Has minimizes their travelling time to catch their destinations
· Jerk free journey
· Pollution free atmosphere
· Installation of lifts for senior citizens, women and peoples with disabilities
· Accommodative and accessible project Very comfortable
· Friendly environment
· Time saving
· Tension free driving
· Reduce traffic congestions
· Accommodative Service staff
Accessible service
As we all be familiar with that whenever some new projects would be launched there ought to be some gaps to be filled which would come in abut when thing is in route ,so as we also have here .
No reservation, it’s very accessible, accommodative and facilitative project of Pakistan but few things need to be wipe up off.
Suggestions regarding this project:
1. The floor of stations is very slippery dangerous for senior citizens, special needs people, women and patients.
2. Cleanliness’ is not proper.
3. Lack of garbage bins nearby public gathering.
4. Touch the token properly to avoid any inconvenience.
5. cooperate with the staff for any information
6. Four stations requests to be adjust due to their un-popularity/uncertain names
a) Salahudin Road needs to be change into scheme morr.
b) Bund Road needs to be change into Chowl Yateem Khana.
c) Wahadat Road needs to be change into Multan Chungi.
Due to such ostracized names people are facing difficulty to be familiar with their relvent station; it’s also depletion of time to reach their goal in time. They are unable to distinguish the stations to exit and arrive. This most knotty issue has to be resolute on imperative basis.
One fixation which as a researcher I have noticed over there was irresponsible attitudes of society, some of passengers have thrown their used masks and other eatable articles & wrappers on the station floor, I felt sad to mention here is the attitude of our community towards all such attractive projects and landmarks . We as a whole would be more accountable, concerned about such projects being responsible general public we should pay our interest towards all such places their cleanliness, maintenance and practice because Pakistan is developing country, Government built and establish such projects to sustain, lift up and prosper its state by making possessions accessible.
It’s our obligation to make our country, cities, parks, stations, building clean and green. We should step forward as united nation with growth mindset towards our country’s opulence. “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”.
