Pakistan’s first metro train and its most advanced mass transit system yet, the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT), Lahore, is all set to start commercial operations from 25 October.
In this regard, Chief Minister of Punjab, Usman Buzdar, has issued directives to all concerned departments to conclude their preparations till 25 October.
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OLMT was originally slated for inauguration in March 2020. However, the Coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown made it impossible to inaugurate the project back then.
Last month, CM Punjab after deliberating with his cabinet, fixed the one-way fare for the OLMT at Rs. 40, rejecting Punjab Mass Transit Authority’s (PMTA) proposal which sought a fixed fare for OLMT in the range of Rs. 40 and Rs. 50.
A consortium of Guangzhou Metro Group, Norinco International, and Daewoo Pakistan Express Bus Service will operate the OLMT for a period of 8 years. The consortium has also recruited 2,000 skilled and unskilled workers for the operations and maintenance of the OLMT.
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Initially, OLMT will provide commute to 250,000 passengers a day. Fully functioning OLMT will be capable of carrying 30,000 commuters per hour. By 2023, 300,000 commuters will be able to travel in a single day.
The total length of the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) track is 27 km, of which 25.4 km is elevated and 1.72 km is underground to protect the historical sites. There are a total of 26 stations with Ali Town and Dera Gujran stations serving as terminals. The track of OLMT passes through some of the most densely populated areas of the provincial capital.
