Daily Times

Infrastructure is the engine of growth and development. Every country requires modern and efficient infrastructure to speed up the wheels of progress. The countries that realised the need of infrastructure have advanced in the race of progress, while those who undermined its significance present a vulnerable picture of transport system today.

Gladly, Lahore has advanced in the field of infrastructure development by after the Orange Line Metro Train, which is under-construction. The asset of Orange Train will revolutionise the transport sector. It will uplift the living standards of common people by providing economical, timesaving and dignified ride for all and sundry.

Where the majority of Lahorites are looking forward to its earliest completion there are some who have set Orange Train as dartboard for their personal gains. These anti-development elements have begun a baseless blame game on Orange Train without realising its importance and significance for a common man.

The people who are creating hurdles in the completion of Orange Line Metro Train are the enemies of development. They are spreading misinformation and myths regarding OLMT for their personal gains. Now with the passage of time the true side of story is eminent, all the allegations and speculations by the blame gamers are coming to an end.

There was much hue and cry that Orange Train would indebt the future generations as EXIM Bank of China is not going to provide any funds but now the critiques are numb as EXIM Bank of China has released the first tranche of Rs 34 billion for OLMT. Where Orange Line Metro Train Project has saved Rs 78.5 billion in its construction it will also lead to saving billions of rupees in future. Rs 14.9 billion will be saved in the first five years of operation and Rs 39.38 billion on annual average over a period of 30 years, making our generations prosperous and financially stable.

The introduction of Pakistan’s first mass transit system in Lahore was also questioned without realising that Lahore is in dire need of a good transportation strategy. Being the 18^th most populous city in the world, Lahore demands great attention in transport sector to fulfill the present requirements and meeting the future transportation demands. Orange Line Metro Train has the capacity to fulfill the transportation needs of the city. Moreover, Lahore is also a lucky charm; the development projects that were once initiated in Lahore are now cherished in whole country.

The handful opponents charged Orange Train Project for diversion of funds but the truth shined out loud. No funds could be diverted as OLMT was funded by China; the remaining sectors got their allocated funds in a better measure than previous years.

Another ring was added into the chain of blames by calling Orange Train a threat to the historical monuments of Lahore but now these voices have been lowered as ‘No Historic sites will be effected’.

These historical places would be renovated with about Rs 100 million. On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the designers and constructors have prioritised the safety of historical buildings. After the construction of 1.7km underground portion and protecting the Saint Andrew’s church, Shehbaz Sharif has proved that the city is in safe hands.

The blame was not only falsified with facts and figures but it also addressed how Orange Line Metro Train is the most heritage-friendly mass transit system in the world. It is quoted that temples were destroyed in India. The cultural hearts of Athens, Rome, Berlin, Paris, Kuala Lumpur and London have metro trains functional at a distance less than buses running near historical buildings in Lahore. But Orange Train will travel at a safe distance, 80km/h as its average speed, creating GBV of 0.03 mm/s which cannot harm the historical buildings at any cost.

The ball of blame kept rolling with the blame that Orange Line Metro Train Project is going to steal the greenery of the city, but these claims were also negated as Orange Train project will make Lahore 10 times greener. For every tree being cut 10 trees will be planted as compensation. Along with that Orange Train will liberate Lahore from carbon emitting buses, vans and rickshaws. It will also combat traffic congestion, traffic jams and gridlocks which the civil society forgot while raising their groundless animadversions.

The sprinkling foes also criticised Lahore Metro Train for illegal acquisition of land but they once again failed in their conspiracy as the displaced were not displeased. The people who had to sacrifice their land were given compensation for that.

It is fascinating that the land owners did not only get their due amount but additional amount was also given to them as compensation for construction, transport and loss of business so that these people can rebuild their present and have a better future. It’s hard to find a parallel example in the history of Pakistan.

The critiques raised questions regarding the use of OLMT for disables. It is worth mentioning that Lahore Orange Line Metro will not only provide a dignified ride to a healthy man but the physically challenged people mistakenly known as disables will be also beneficiaries of this project. To ease the journey of disables wheel chairs will be available at the metro stations free of cost. The station platforms will also have screen doors and escalators for the safety of disables.

A conservation authority claimed that people only come to Lahore to see historical buildings and not to travel in metro train which bears no truth. Tourism is highly dependent on the provision of good transportation facilities. It was impossible to boost tourism in Lahore without making the required arrangements in transport sector. Lahore’s Orange Line Metro Train is an open invitation to the tourists around the globe. Now tourists will rush towards Lahore to see the beautiful monuments while traveling in a luxurious ride.

For every blame there is a claim. Orange Train is a project for the comfort and benefit of common people. It’s time for all the players of this blame game to stop pointing their fingers towards the welfare of common man.

It’s time to realise that the progress and development of the country is above anyone’s personal gains. It’s time to save the have not’s from crushing under the heels of haves, let the underprivileged taste what privilege tastes like, let the metro train of poor be build!!