Is the Orange Line project really a project for all?

If all goes well, Lahore is set to become the 31st city in the world with a Metro train service. The Rs 165 billion Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project will connect Raiwind, Multan Road, McLeod Road, Lahore Junction Railway Station and the Grand Trunk Road. It is country’s first mass rapid transit train system, and is being financed and developed by the Chinese government.

The corridor would be capable of accommodating two trains running both up and down the track, ferrying up to 30,000 passengers per hour. The project will run on a 27.1 kilometre track, of which 25.4 kilometres will be elevated. The service will initially benefit around 250,000 passengers a day and this capacity will be increased to 500,000 passengers daily by 2025.

While the mega project is set to ease transport for common person, Lahore citizens have diverse views over its usefulness.

Erum Zia, a concerned citizen, is worried about the heritage sites that will be in the line of fire because of the project. “My childhood was spent on these sites.  It is the right of the citizens that when a government announces a mega project it should involve the citizens. All citizens should be a part of the debate. If we can’t give feedback and our concerns are not considered, then these projects are of no use,” she said. Erum is actively participating in a movement to protect heritage sites in the city.

However, heritage is the last thing on many a citizen’s mind. Pakistan Today’s survey revealed that concerns vary according to one’s needs.

A kiosk owner at Chauburji, Zaeem Ahmed, worries about losing his business, not the monument standing before him. He comes from Mughal Pura to sell burgers near the buildings that are slated to be demolished to make way for the project. “Business is more important than transport. This is for those who have to travel. I have to earn. If these buildings are demolished my business will end. I bring meat from the market, from where will I bring it then?”

The case is different for Sabir Ali, who has a coaster stand that takes passengers from Lahore to Kasoor. He is quite happy with the project. “It is a very good project. A person who earns Rs 500 and spends Rs 200 from it on transport would be able to travel to and fro from his destination in Rs 20, think of all the savings,” he said.

“The project will also increase our income. People who used to go on cars will drop here instead and go to Kasoor on our coaster. This is a very good project. Those who are against it actually don’t know much!” he added.

Some people feel that while public transport is important, there are more important issues that need to be addressed.

“First it is important that you solve the electricity problem. When that is solved, everything else will be solved. Yes, transport is important but at this time electricity is more important. Government should work on transport after electricity issue is solved,” Rumana, a resident of Lahore, said.

Some people were even in the mood to sacrifice anything for transport.

“There is no doubt that other basic needs are also important but transport is also an issue. Nobody has ever worked on transport before. If I had to sacrifice this restaurant for the project, I would. It is only Mian Sahab who is giving transport facility to public. Government is already working on other issues as well simultaneously. And Rs 20 I can have a really good journey,” Irfan Ali, a restaurant manager said.

A consortium of Chinese firms in collaboration with the Metro Bus Authority and the Punjab government will complete the Orange Line project. It remains to be seen whether the project can be completed in a manner that keeps everyone happy.