It seems that development often comes at a price and this certainly rings true in the case of the Orange Line Metro project. As land acquisition and the project’s progress continues, many locals fear their life may never be the same again.
How would you feel if you were told to evacuate your home within a short period of time or if your business had to be closed down or relocated? In this way, the undertaking is causing quite an uproar among residents and commercial property owners in the vicinity of areas which are to be acquired.
And that’s not all. According to a recent news source, those affected claim the project causes disturbances in the routine, day-to-day lives of residents as well. It will forever alter the commercial and cultural activities of the regions it touches.
EIA report and compensation
Reportedly, development requires a staggering 1,165 kanal and 15 marla for the train’s 26 stations, two of which will be underground. This figure includes 731 kanal for a depot, stabling yard and electric sub-stations which will be used to provide an uninterrupted supply of electricity to the track.
The project was assessed through an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, confirming that land would have to be acquired to facilitate the project.
“The land acquisition will result in a loss of infrastructure, commercial activities, disturb people and alter existing land use,” the report reads.
What do those affected receive in return? Compensation, of course! The majority of participants in the public hearing where the report was revealed stressed that compensation include the market rate of the properties, structure costs and disturbance costs.
Here’s the good news: the government succumbed to the demands! Yet, not everyone has been pacified.
Grievances aired
The news source states that residents of the katchi abadi in the Railway Colony seem specifically distressed as 40 houses within this locality have been marked for acquisition. The residents protested in front of the Lahore Press Club a few days ago, to little avail.
Ijaz, a resident of this area, is adamantly trying to save his home, routine business, possessions, and culture. According to him, if the government does not change the route of the project, residents will not allow construction in the area.
However, while the sentiments of these people can be understood, economic development has always come at a price. As the saying goes, you have to lose something to gain something. The Orange Line Metro is a vital project and land acquisition must be carried out. I sincerely hope that it will make commute a lot quicker and perhaps also give a much-needed boost to commercial activity.
Land is planned to be acquired in the following areas: Dera Gujran, Islam Park, Salamatpura, Mahmood Booti, Shalamar Gardens, Baghbanpura, University of Engineering and Technology (GT Road), Sultanpura, Railway Station, Lahore Hotel, Lakshmi Chowk, Hall Road, Anarkali, Chauburji, LOS, Gulshan-i-Ravi, Samanabad, Yateem Khana Chowk, Scheme Morr, Shahnoor, Sabzazaar, Kharak, Awan Town, Wahdat Road (near Mansoora), Mansoora, Hanjarwal, Canal View, Thokar Niaz Baig and Ali Town.
Looks like we will only realise the real worth of this project once it’s complete. Meanwhile, I really hope that the people who are being affected by this process receive due compensation and are rewarded with more fulfilling and economically progressive opportunities.
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There is already infrastructure of roads laid in Lahore. We dont need Orange or Yellow Line we need factories and energy to boost our economy. PML N cant achieve economic progress therefore to lure voter it is easy project to show their progress in the eyes of Lahoris and Pakistanis.
The best solution was to put the who line underground like other big cities. Cost of building is slightly more but life of a tunnel is much more than viaducts on which orange train is being build. Also environmentally and aesthetically it causes less nuance after construction but problem with current regime is that they need to do showcase projects before next elections not the long term problem solving of transport sector. Also steel consumption of viaduct is much more than tunnel which will their own factories to keep running. Good things with bad motives do not bear fruit as is intended.
And this is what happens when you chose idiots as your rulers.There is no vision, no Cost-Benefit Analysis just an insane wish to develop an already developed and congested city by constructing structures over one another so that they can sell it in the next elections. This city which was once called the city of gardens is goin to be turned into a dry, barren city of roads,traffic and pollution by these ignorants. Dekho dekho kon aya….