LAHORE, May 17 (TNS): Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif observed test run of Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) in Lahore on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media after 11 km test run in the metro train from Dera Gujjran station to Lakshmi Chowk station, Shehbaz said that had Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf not created hurdles, millions would have been traveling in the metro train.
“The OLMT is not just a development project. Rather, it is the manifestation of democratic resolve to serve the common man [sic],” Shahbaz said.
“Teachers, students, common citizens, labourers, and people from all walks of life will benefit from Orange Line Metro Train,” he said.
“It’s a common man’s project. I won’t lie to the people like Imran Khan; people would be able to travel in Orange Line Metro Train in three-and-a-half months,” he said.
“Those travelling via helicopters and aeroplanes are not aware of the woes of masses,” the Punjab CM took a jibe at the PTI chief, adding, “Niazi sahib, you wasted 22 months of this nation.Initially, the project will facilitate 0.25 million people daily, whereas by 2025, it is expected to facilitate 0.5m people every day.
Under the project, 27 trains — with five bogies each — will travel across the track in 45 minutes, a journey which previously took 2.5 hours, according to the Punjab Government.The OLMT route begins at Ali Town and ends at the Dera Gujran/Ring Road Interchange. The stops are: Ali Town – Raiwind Road – Thokar Niaz Baig – Multan Road – Chauburji – Lake Road – Ustadullah Bakhsh Road – GPO Chowk – Macleod Road – Nicholson Road – Boharwala Chowk – Sultanpura – GT Road – Dera Gujran/Ring Road Interchange
The CM Punjab, while addressing a gathering after the inauguration, said work on the project would be complete in three months.
