Major Public Transport Project in Lahore Likely to Be Delayed

The Punjab government is unlikely to launch the Lahore Yellow Line mass transit project within the current fiscal year as progress has slowed due to competing infrastructure priorities and the diversion of funds toward flood rehabilitation efforts.

Despite the delay, officials confirmed the project remains on the government’s agenda and will not be scrapped. The administration aims to complete the Yellow Line before the next general election, but a launch before June 2026 now appears unfeasible.

Design consultants from the National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak) are evaluating multiple construction options to reduce costs, minimize delays, and protect the city’s green cover. One option under review involves a “cut and cover” technique that eliminates the need to remove trees but would cause long-term traffic disruptions on Canal Road.

Another proposal places the entire Yellow Line underground to preserve all 1,400 trees along the 24-kilometer stretch.

Officials said the government’s current focus has shifted toward developing a metro bus system in Faisalabad and a busway project in Gujranwala. Limited funding, redirected to support flood-affected communities, has further slowed the Yellow Line’s progress.

The Lahore metro bus and Orange Line train systems continue to serve roughly 150,000 and 235,000 passengers daily, respectively—figures that underscore the province’s commitment to expanding mass transit in major cities.

Source: Dawn News