LAHORE – The Orange Line Metro Train is reported to be operational by theend of September as 85 per cent of work on the multi-billion project hasbeen completed.
It was reported by a local media outletlinkthatdespite the inauguration of the train’s test run by former Punjab chiefminister Shehbaz Sharif in May, the train could not be fully operational aswork was still being completed on different sites. Moreover, it wasreported that the work is likely to be completed soon and no further delaysare expected.
Officials quoted in the report stated that “in order to meet the target thecontractors have deployed additional workforce on different parts of 27.1km(cut and cover section: 1.72km, elevated: 25.4km) long track”.
According to details, the progress of civil work on package-I from DeraGujjaran, GT Road to Chouburji was 97 per cent and on package-II fromChouburji to Ali Town was more than 95 per cent. Work on Depot near DeraGujjaran and Stabling Yard near Ali Town is almost complete.
In addition to that, 90 per cent of electrical and mechanical work on theproject is complete. Also, 85 per cent of work on metallic track as well asthe installation of electrical and mechanical equipment is complete.
Officials quoted in the report said that “five coaches are attached witheach train, which holds the capacity to transport 1,000 passengers in onetrip. More than 27,000 passengers will be able to travel on 27 metro trainsin one trip. One train is set to make 10 trips in a day and hence relyingupon the official claims it is estimated that more than 250,000 passengerswill travel daily through metro trains when they will fully start theiroperation in the city of more than 11 million people”.