Proceed with care, please
Clearly the Punjab government will have to do more than circulate a message from the CM on social media in its attempt to calm citizens about any potential danger to Lahore’s historical sites because of the Orange Line of the Metro train service. Numerous other concerns about the project notwithstanding – like diverting available funds to more demanding areas like education, etc, or the project going ahead without public hearing or intimation – it is advised that relevant authorities take the greatest care in protecting our historical and cultural heritage.
We are already almost criminally negligent of these treasures. Most countries take pride in them, protect them, renovate them and then open such sits to the public, earning previous tourism driven revenue in the process. Unfortunately, such concerns have evaded our leaders and decision-makers for almost as long as we have been alive as a sovereign nation. But if we cannot upgrade and earn from our historical sites, let us at least not proactively bring further harm to them. It is not outright demolition of places like Chauburji, GPO and Shalimar Gardens that is the only concern. If the Metro operates near old buildings, the vibrations, etc, can still cause considerable wear and tear, which must be looked into.
Granted, infrastructural upgradation is a mandatory assignment for every government. Therefore, while going ahead with projects that can prove controversial, perhaps our government can take a leaf out of others’ books; especially those who have undertaken such projects without hurting the historical heritage. In London, for example, when their underground network was laid about a century ago – which was an unusually complicated and extensive undertaking at the time – the greatest care was taken to preserve important sites and landmarks. We, too, must follow such examples. The CM should be credited for attempting to put the controversy to an end. But a more thorough and convincing exercise would be more welcome.