Lahore: A Chinese-European joint venture is looking to launch a tram service in Lahore on a 25-30 kilometre stretch of Canal Road, from Thokar to Jallo in the first phase – a news source reported. The project will be launched under the public-private partnership model.
The Lahore Transport Company (LTC) will play a regulatory role on behalf of the transport department. The JV studied the various routes of buses operating in the city under LTC regulations and decided that the Canal Road is fit for launching the tram service in the first phase. Other phases may also be launched on other routes including Jail Road, Mall Road, and other major roads of the metropolitan.
The idea to launch a tram service in Lahore was floated after Punjab Transport Minister Jahanzeb Khan Khichhi visited Czech Republic. There, he held meetings with transport firms specialising in manufacturing and launching trams.
The JV comprising of Czech Republic’s Inekon Group and China’s CRSC had, afterwards, visited Lahore and surveyed various routes around a month ago.
The new facility will comprise 30 sets of trams — each having two coaches. The service would have various stops, keeping in view the requirement of passengers.
