THE Orange Line Metro Train, the country’s first electricity run mass transit project, was inaugurated on Sunday with inaugural ceremonies held both in Lahore and Beijing since the project has been completed under multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) . It is indeed yet another symbol of strong bonds that exist between Pakistan and China and we are confident that this journey towards expanding cooperation in diverse fields will continue in future as well for the mutual benefit.
For various reasons, the Orange Line project faced many delays but finally the trains have started plying providing international standard transport facilities to the people. Given the route of the metro train that connects residential areas, it is expected that the facility will be used by about 2, 45000 on a daily basis. It was the project that was envisioned and initiated in the era of former Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the PTI government really deserves appreciation for not abandoning and letting it fall victim to the political differences. This is the spirit that is required to take forward the country. Such mega transport projects are need of the big cities in order to ensure easy and fast movement of people. Modern transport system can transform cities for the better. For example Berlin and Bonn built an extensive network of underground trains, trams and busses, with a single ticket enabling travel across all transport methods. Because of this integrated transport system, one sees fewer cars on their roads. As a result there is no traffic congestion and this is also helping them check pollution. We should also follow the same model. We will suggest the Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to prepare a comprehensive plan for an integrated transport system especially for Lahore and Rawalpindi to ensure that these metro trains or buses are available to the people on all the routes at affordable rates. This will improve the quality of life of the people as well as help address several other chronic problems of these bigger cities including that of smog and congestion. Other provinces should also think on the same line.
