“Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.”
Lahore with a population of 1.13 million badly needs an efficient and decent transport system. The initiative taken by Shahbaz Sharif was therefore a move in the right direction. The Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) project initiated in September 2015 was meant to supplement the Lahore Metrobus project which became operative in February 2013. Unlike the latter, the OLMT was to chart an altogether new route affecting several settlements and historical sites. It was devised without due homework, consultation or public debate.
There being laws and regulations about the preservation of historic sites, the government was required to prepare its construction plans in line with these. Being in a hurry the Punjab Chief Minister neglected taking the required precautionary measures. This led to litigation which caused delay in the completion of the project besides raising its cost. A slapdash attitude adopted by contractors hired by the government led to at least 25 deaths of workers leading to protests and payment of compensations. The SC in its decision has laid down 31 conditions that have to be adhered to while conducting work on the project. The last one requires that in all future projects, no-objection certificates, licences, approvals and permissions as required by law shall be obtained before work on the project site is commenced.
The development work is undertaken to improve the living conditions of a people and for the advancement of the community. The country needs new factories, water reservoirs and modern transport systems. With fast increasing urbanization, there is a need for town planning keeping in view the needs of the future. In large cities like Lahore, factories which have over time been surrounded by thickly populated settlements need to be relocated to industrial areas outside the city. While undertaking projects that affect the lives of many, the planners must ensure that these are in no way injurious to health, do not adversely affect the habitat or impair the national heritage. The development has to be well-guided so that it does not add to the problems already being faced by people .