LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has signed documents for the entire Orange Line’s civil work completion comprising four packages.

The documents were signed by LDA Chief Engineer Dr Habibul Haq Randhawa.

Since the train is all set to begin its commercial operation from Oct 25, an LDA official says the project built capacity of several engineering officials who worked day and night for almost over four years or so. “We are happy that we have completed our task successfully,” Project Director (package-1) Mr Hamadul Hasan told Dawn when contacted.

“After completion, we have internally signed the documents and got these approved by our chief engineer,” he added.

The LDA had been assigned the task of completing civil work by the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA), owner of the project funded by China under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, the electrical, mechanical, provision of rolling stocks and several other works were completed by the CR-Norinco - a Chinese joint venture.

According to a spokesman, the LDA will be responsible for repair and maintenance of the civil work for the next three years. During this period, LDA will not pay any compensation to the contractors for repairs under the agreement. The [repair] contract will be awarded again after expiry of three years.

The project has also been handed over to a joint venture of three companies that will be responsible to operate and maintain the project. It has earlier been taken over by the PMTA from the CR-Norinco last week.

UNDERPASS: The construction work on Firdous market underpass has been geared up for completing the project and opening it for public from Oct 31.

“Asphalt/carpeting is being done in the underpass barrel and on the road from Centre Point, Gulberg, to Cavalry Ground,” reads a press release issued by an LDA spokesman.

On the other hand, the LDA Estate Management Directorate team on Wednesday sealed offices of seven approved private housing schemes in Lahore for non-execution of transfer and mortgage deeds and violating the [approved] scheme plan.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2020