LAHORE: The government is designing the four stations of Orange Line Metro Train in harmony with nearby historical buildings as per the directions by the Supreme Court.

Steering committee for the project chairman Khwaja Ahmad Hassaan told reporters on Thursday that miniature construction of a replica of one level of Shalamar Gardens had already started at the relevant stations.

He said proposals for synchronising the modern structure of these stations with the heritage buildings had been prepared by NESPAK and handed over to the committee of experts for approval. The committee had specially been constituted for this purpose by the court, he added.

He told that the Shalimar Station, the UET station near Gulabi Bagh, the Chauburji station and the Samanabad station near Zaibun Nisa’s tomb were being adorned with archways, floor patterns, decorative tiles, replica of monuments as well as horticulture work. The facelift of the facade of buildings and shops, situated in front of the main gate of Shalamar Garden will also be carried out under this plan, he added.

As per the plan, the tile mosaic motifs of the Gulabi Bagh Gateway will be replicated on the nearby UET station to create harmony with the historic Gateway. The area around Chauburji Gateway will be developed into a green belt. The decorative motifs of Chauburji Gateway will be replicated on the nearby station.

The area around Zaibun Nisa`s Tomb will be properly attended and developed. The decorative motifs of the tomb will be replicated on the nearby Samanabad station. Hassan also visited Mehmood Booti station of Orange Line Metro Train and inspected the functioning of various equipments installed there.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2018